STUDIES ON DIFFERENT FUNGICIDES, BIOCONTROL AGENTS OF EARLY BLIGHT OF TOMATO CAUSED BY ALTERNARIA SOLANIALLAMPOOJA, GEETIKA, MANEESHA KAUSHIK, SHUJA AHMAD AND MESHRAM SHWETAAbstract A significant vegetable crop that is utilized both as a vegetable and as an ingredient is the tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.). Early blight in tomato caused by Alternaria solani which is responsible for significant yield losses in the crop. Several of these techniques have been evaluated against A. solani as part of the current investigation. Two biocontrol agents and five fungicides were evaluated following poison food technique and dual culture. At the highest concentration (75 ppm) of fungicide, the least average mycelial growth of Alternaria solani was shown by Azoxystrobin 18.2% +difenoconazole 11.4% SC (20.01 mm) followed by Propiconazole 25% EC (25.20 mm), Mancozeb 75% WP (39.50 mm), Chlorothalonil 75%WP (44.63 mm) and Copper oxychloride 50% WP (49.50 mm). At concentration, i.e. 75 ppm, Azoxystrobin 18.2% + difenoconazole 11.4% SC showed maximum inhibition of mycelial growth (77.76%), followed by Propiconazole 25% EC (72.00%), Mancozeb 75% WP (56.11 %) and Chlorothalonil 75% WP (52.77 %). The pathogen was inhibited the least in copper oxychloride 50 percent WP (47.25 percent ). The minimum colony growth of Alternaria solani was observed in Trichoderma viride (23.60 mm) followed by T. harzianum (18.60 mm). After 7 days maximum inhibition was observed in mycelial growth of (79.33%) shown by T. harzianum followed by T. viride (73.77%). Similar trend was also observed in field conditions. Among different fungicides, Azoxystrobin + difenoconazole (15.5%) showed less disease severity as compared to other fungicides. Both biocontrol agents showing less diseases control percentage (61.10 to 65.74%) with diseases severity (15.5 to 17.6%) and significantly enhanced plant growth parameter and fruit yield. |