In vitro study of fungicides and biocontrol agents against Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. pini causing root rot of Western Himalayan fir (Abies pindrow)

Nine fungicides namely: carbendazim, hexaconazole, thiophonate methyl, triadimefan, metalaxyl, mancozeb, captan, copper oxychloride and chlorothalonil and seven bioagents namely: Trichoderma harzianum, Trichoderma viride,Gliocladium virens, Lacaria laccata, Boletus edulis, Suillus placids and Russula lutea were evaluated in vitro by using dual culture and cultural filtrate techniques for their effect on the inhibition of mycelial growth and spore germination of Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. pini. Among systemic fungicides maximum inhibition in mycelial growth and spore germination was observed in the carbendazim followed by other fungicides. While among non-systemic fungicides maximum mycelial growth inhibition and spore germination was observed in mancozeb followed by other fungicides. In dual culture maximum mycelial growth inhibition was recorded in T. harzianum followed by filtrates of bioagents.   Key words: Bioagents, cultural filtrate, dual culture, fungicides, Fusarium oxysporum.