Ecofriendly Management of Wilt Complex in Black Pepper (Piper nigrum L.)

Black pepper (Piper nigrum L.) is prone to attack by burrowing nematode, Radopholus similis and fungal wilt pathogen, Phytophthora capsici causing wilt complex and considerable yield loss. The field experiment was carried out in the farmer's field, with a view to evaluate bioagents (Trichoderma harzianum, Purpureomyces lilacinum, Pseudomonas fluorescens and Bacillus subtilis), organic amendment (Neem cake) and chemicals (Carbofuran and Bordeaux mixture) separately and in combination for the management of R. similis and P. capsici. The final population of R. similis in soil was lowest in Bordeaux mixture (1%) + P. lilacinum (50 g) (302.66/200 cc soil), followed by Carbofuran 3G (15 g) (335.33 nematodes/200 cc soil), Bordeaux mixture (1%)+ Carbofuran-3G (15 g) (349.33 nematodes/200 cc soil) and P. lilacinum (50 g) (371.33 nematodes/200 cc sol) as compared to untreated control (922.00 nematodes/200 cc soil) respectively. The final root population of R. similis was minimum in Bordeaux mixture (1%) + P. lilacinum (50 g) (150.66/5 g roots) followed by Carbofuran 3G (15 g) (178.00/5 g roots nematodes) as compared to untreated control (478.00/5 g roots) respectively. The lowest foliar yellowing, defoliation and lesion indices were observed in the treatment Bordeaux mixture (1%) + P. lilacinum (50 g) (1.33, 1.00 and 1.00) followed by Bordeaux mixture (1%) + T. harzianum (50 g) (1.66, 1.33 and 1.00) and these two treatments were at par with each other. Vines treated with Bordeaux mixture (1%) spray + T. harzianum (50 g) recorded maximum dry berry weight of 2.27 g/vine and it was on par with vines treated with Bordeaux mixture (1%) + P. lilacinum (50 g) with 2.05 g/vine. However, untreated control vines recorded lowest dry berry weight (0.63 g) and it was at par with Carbofuran 3G (15 g) (1.04g).