Parasitism of rust, early and late leafspot pathogens of peanut by Verticillium lecanii

V. lecanii parasitized rust (Puccinia arachidis), early (Cercospora arachidicola [Mycosphaerella arachidis]) and late leafspot (Phaeoisariopsis personata [M. berkeleyi]) pathogens of groundnut in the greenhouse at ICRISAT Center and in farmers' fields in the Indian States of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. In inoculation experiments, there was a significant reduction in the extent of rust and late leafspot development on leaves inoculated with V. lecanii. Receptivity and percentage leaf area damage of rust and late leafspot were reduced when inoculated with V. lecanii. The potential use of V. lecanii in biological control of rust and leafspot diseases of groundnut is discussed