Evaluations of fortified fungicide solutions in managing corm rot disease of gladiolus caused by Fusarium oxysporum

Corm rot caused bythe fungal pathogen Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. gladioli is a dreaded disease in gladiolus causing huge financial loss to the growers. Experiments were conducted to find a suitable fungicide for corm dip treatment to control this disease. On the basis of experimental findings benomyl gave the best results followed by captan and carbendazim. However, the use of fungicides alone did not give satisfactoryresults probablydue to inadequate quantities of fungicides entering the core of the corm to kill all the Fusarium pathogens present. To increase the efficacyof the fungicides, pH of the fungicide solution needs to be lowered. Three chemicals viz. acetic acid, ascorbic acid and ethephon were used to lower the pH of the fungicide solution of benomyl 0.2%+ captan 0.2% to pH 3.2, and the effect of dipping of corms in fortified fungicide solution for 30 and 60 min on disease incidence and flower, corm and cormel production was studied. Lowering the pH of the fungicide solution byusing all the three chemicals significantlyreduced the disease incidence. Best results were obtained byusing acetic acid followed byascorbic acid and ethephon. Dipping of corms in fungicide solution for 60 min proved better than dipping for 30 min, irrespective of the chemicals used. Addition of these chemicals to the fungicide solution also showed beneficial effects on flower, corm and cormel production. r 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved