Suppression of Verticillium wilt of cotton through liquid material and antagonistic fungal strains under natural field conditions

A study was carried out to test the effect of antagonistic fungal strains in combination with liquid material (biochemical formulation) to suppress the effect of V. dahliae. Among the five antagonistic fungal strains, most significant biocontrol efficacy has been recorded in A. terreus followed by T. harzianum under natural field conditions. The most effective biocontrol efficacy has been observed in combinatorial study between biochemical formulation prepared from the extractof Ricinus communis, Tinospora cardifolia, Withania. Somniferawith copper sulphateand T. harzianum under natural field conditions. Effect of antagonistic strains helps to increases height and cotton yield as compared to control plants. This investigation indicates that fungal strains in combination with biochemical formulation have the potential to control Verticillium wilt in significant proportion and recommendation for the usage of biochemical formulation during cotton cultivation.