Management of Gladiolus Corm Rot and Yellows

49-53Gladiolus is an important floriculture crop in India, which suffers from an important disease caused by Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. gladioli causing corm rot and yellows symptoms. The losses by this disease are up to the extent of 80-100%. Attempts were made for the management of the disease. In vitro essential oils of Mentha ,Neem ,Tagetes, and Lemon grass , fungicides (Carbendazim,Vitavax,Chlorothalonil,Captan and Topsin M) and biocontrol agents(different strains) of Trichoderma harzianum and T.virens were tested. The effective concentrations of different successful fungicides and biocontrol agent in combination with the compatible fungicide were tested in field for three growing seasons. It was found that Chlorothalonil and Bavistin were best in terms of management of disease, germination of bulbs, length of plants/spike and number of flowers per spike. Trichoderma harzianum (MTCC3843) was quite effective in the management. However, the same in combination with Chlorothalonil was more effective for the management of the disease