Pomegranate wilt disease causes significant damage in orchards due to the complete drying and death of affected plants, resulting in considerable economic losses to growers. The disease is characterized by yellowing, wilting, and drying of foliage, and it spreads rapidly through soil and water posing a serious threat to nearby healthy plants. Two fungal pathogens, Ceratocystis fimbriata and Fusarium oxysporum, were identified to be associated with it based on morphological and cultural characteristics. Pathogenicity tests confirmed that C. fimbriata induced symptoms more rapidly than F. oxysporum, and co-inoculation of both pathogens led to accelerated disease development, suggesting a synergistic interaction. This study evaluated the efficacy of various fungicides under in vitro, pot, and field conditions and revealed that the treatment Propiconazole 25% EC and Carbendazim 12% +Mancozeb 63% WP exhibited the highest inhibition of mycelial growth of C. fimbriata and F. oxysporum under in vitro condition. The efficacy of these treatments was further validated through pot and field experiments, which revealed significant reductions in soil pathogen inoculum (cfu/g) and disease severity, demonstrating their potential for effective management of soil-borne pathogens under field conditions. Accurate pathogen identification is essential for effective management, which depends on early detection, timely fungicide application, improved soil drainage, and removal of infected plants. The difficulty in managing severely affected plants highlights the need for early intervention and integrated disease management strategies

Pomegranate wilt, Soil-borne pathogens, Ceratocystis fimbriata, Fusarium oxysporum, Fungicide efficacy

The present study confirms the involvement of C. fimbriata and F. oxysporum as major causal agents of wilt disease in pomegranate orchards, with C. fimbriata showing more aggressive pathogenic behavior under pot conditions. Co-inoculation of both pathogens resulted in accelerated disease progression, indicating a synergistic interaction that intensifies wilt severity. Morphological observations and re-isolation studies validated their pathogenicity and distinct infection strategies. In vitro and in vivo evaluations demonstrated that systemic fungicides, particularly Propiconazole 25% EC and Carbendazim-based formulations, significantly reduced pathogen populations and inhibited mycelial growth. However, the limitations of fungicide use including resistance development and environmental concerns that highlight the need for integrated disease management approaches. Combining chemical control with cultural practices, organic amendments, and biological agents will be critical for achieving long-term, sustainable management of pomegranate wilt disease. These findings provide a foundation for future research on integrated strategies tailored to specific agro-ecological conditions

Mukesh, Kishore Khosla, Satish K. Sharma, Anju Sharma, Saijal Khosla and Abhishek Sharma (2025). Assessment of Fungicide Efficacy in Managing Pomegranate wilt Disease caused by Ceratocystis fimbriata and Fusarium oxysporum. Biological Forum, 17(6): 38-52.