Antifungal Activity of Botanicals and Biological agents against Sclerotium rolfsii Causing Foot and Root Rot Disease of Lentil

Background: Foot and root rot disease caused by Sclerotium rolfsii is a destructive soil borne disease of lentil (Lens culinaris). The present experiment was conducted to determine the inhibitory effect of thirteen plant extracts and two bio-control agents on in vitro mycelium growth of S. rolfsii. Methods: The experiment was conducted in the Laboratory of Pulse Research Center, RARS, BARI, Ishurdi, Pabna, Bangladesh during rabi season in 2015. Seven isolates of S. rolfsii were collected from foot and root rot affected lentil plant. Antifungal activity of thirteen botanicals and two biocontrol agents (T. harziznum and T. viride) was tested against a fast growing isolate (Sc-38) of the pathogen following poisoned food technique. Result: Out of thirteen botanicals, only Black cumin inhibited colony growth of S. rolfsii, where the colony diameter ranged 0.00-6.00 cm at different days after incubation. A moderate inhibition was achieved with Tulsi at 3, 6 and 9 DAI compared to control. Amendment of PDA with compost and liquid T. harziznum and T. viride remarkably inhibited the colony growth of S. rolfsii compared to control. Efficacy of four treatments of biocontrol agents was much better than botanical treatments. Two botanical extracts (Black cumin and Tulsi) and biocontrol agents (T. harzianum and T. viride) were found effective against S. rolfsii.