Comparative In-vitro Efficacy of Fungicides against Fusarium oxysporum Causing Wilt of Pigeonpea

Abstract

Pigeon pea is an important pulse crop, but its productivity is severely constrained by wilt disease caused by Fusarium oxysporum. The soil-borne pathogen survives for long periods in the soil and causes significant yield losses, making disease management challenging. Evaluation of fungicides under laboratory conditions is essential for identifying effective chemical options for suppressing pathogen growth and supporting disease management strategies. An in vitro experiment was carried out to evaluate the efficacy of different fungicides against Fusarium oxysporum causing pigeon pea wilt in the P.G. Research Laboratory, Department of Plant Pathology, N. M. College of Agriculture, Navsari Agricultural University, Navsari during 2024-25. Thirteen fungicides belonging to contact, systemic and combination groups were evaluated at three concentrations (100, 200 and 300 ppm) by poison food technique using Completely Randomized Design (CRD). The efficacy of fungicides was assessed based on mean colony diameter and Per cent Growth Inhibition (PGI). Significant differences were observed among the fungicides tested against F. oxysporum under laboratory conditions. Among the fungicides evaluated, penflufen 13.28% + trifloxystrobin 13.28% FS recorded complete inhibition (100.00%) of mycelial growth at all concentrations tested. Fluopyram 17.70% + tebuconazole 17.70% w/w, thiophanate methyl 450 g/L + pyraclostrobin 50 g/L FS, carbendazim 25% + flusilazole 12.5% SE and tebuconazole 50% + trifloxystrobin 25% WG also exhibited excellent inhibition and remained statistically at par with penflufen 13.28% + trifloxystrobin 13.28% FS. Mancozeb 75 WP recorded the least inhibition among all fungicides tested. The results indicated that combination fungicides were more effective than contact fungicides against F. oxysporum under in vitro conditions.