Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) is one of the world's major oil seed crops grown in both tropical and subtropical regions, suffers from many fungal diseases resulting in severe yield loss among those diseases stem rot which is a soil-borne disease caused by Sclerotium rolfsii Sacc. is the major yield-limiting factor. The present investigation is on in vitro evaluation of different fungicides, botanicals, bioagents and organic amendments against S. rolfsii to develop an integrated disease management approach against stem rot disease of groundnut. In vitro, studies revealed that Tebuconazole, Nativo, Hexaconazole, and Vitavax were found to be highly effective and completely inhibited (100 %) the mycelial growth of Sclerotium rolfsii at all three concentrations tested compared to other fungicides. Among botanicals, neem leaf extract(78.50 % @20%) highly inhibited the mycelial growth of S. rolfsii, whereas Trichoderma harzianum (71.10 %) exhibited maximum antifungal properties compared to other tested bioagents. Among organic amendments tested neem cake (52.80 %) was found to be effective against the mycelial growth of S. rolfsii. Overall, it is suggested that the use of effective fungicides and potential bioagents, botanicals and organic amendments may result in better management of stem rot disease of groundnut.

Sclerotium rolfsii Sacc., in vitro, fungicides, botanicals, bio-agents, organic amendments

The results of the current research reported that among fungicides tested Tebuconazole, Nativo, Hexaconazole, Vitavax were found to be highly effective and completely inhibited mycelial growth of Sclerotium rolfsii at all different concentrations tested (each @ 1000, 1500, and 2000 ppm). Neem leaf extract found to have high antifungal properties compared to other botanicals tested irrespective of concentrations. Among bio agents tested Trichoderma harzianum highly inhibited the mycelial growth of S. rolfsii followed by Pseudomonas florescensare found to be efficacious compared to others. Neem seed cake was found to show high inhibition of mycelial growth of S. rolfsii followed by FYM in compared to other organic amendments. Fungicide application, while effective, is costly and may harm associated microbiota in soil, making it hazardous to the environment. As a result, the current study intends to to develop an environmentally friendly disease management system by integrating chemicals with bioagents, plant extracts, and organic amendments, which will be the best alternative to control the disease.

P. Manasa, A.K. Senapati, S.K. Dwibedi and Sandeep Kumar (2022). Bio Efficacy of Fungicides, Botanicals, Bioagents and Organic amendments against S. rolfsii causing Stem Rot Disease of Groundnut. Biological Forum – An International Journal, 14(4a): 715-722.