Integration of soil solarization with bio-control agents for the management of stem rot of chrysanthemum

A study was conducted during 2016 at Nauni to find out the Effect of soil solarization with transparent polyethylene mulch (25µm thick) was recorded on soil temperature in the earthen pots and pathogenic potential of the stem rot pathogen mixed in the soil of the earthen pots. Soil solarization increased average maximum soil temperature to 45.9 °C, with an increase of 7.8 °C at 5 cm soil depth over unsolarized pots. Effect of combination of soil solarization and biocontrol agents was also observed on disease causing capability of the Rhizoctonia stem rot pathogen. Trichoderma viride was found most effective with no incidence of the disease and this treatment combination reduced the viability of the sclerotia by 99.2 per cent in comparison to unsolarized control.