Efficacy of Chemical, Biocontrol Agents and Botanical Strategies for Management of Fusarium Wilt in Chickpea

Abstract

Fusarium wilt, caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ciceri, is a major soil-borne pathogen constraining chickpea productivity. A field experiment was conducted in a randomized block design during the Rabi seasons of 2024–25 and 2025–26 at the Student’s Instructional Farm, C.S.A. University of Agriculture and Technology, Kanpur, using the susceptible chickpea cultivar JG 62. Fifteen treatments comprising four bioagents (Trichoderma harzianum, T. viride, Bacillus subtilis and Pseudomonas fluorescens), five botanical extracts at 10% concentration (garlic, neem, Lantana, eucalyptus and tulsi), five fungicides (tebuconazole 25.9% EC, propiconazole 25% EC, copper oxychloride 50% WP, carbendazim 12% + mancozeb 63% WP and tebuconazole 50% + trifloxystrobin 25% WG) and an untreated control were evaluated with three replications. Results were consistent across both seasons. Among fungicides, tebuconazole 50% + trifloxystrobin 25% WG was most effective (seed yield: 16.12 q ha⁻¹; disease incidence: 14.81%). Among bioagents, Trichoderma harzianum proved superior, while among botanical extracts, garlic extract showed best performance. These treatments were substantially superior to the untreated control, which recorded 9.19 q ha⁻¹ seed yield with 43.29% disease incidence. Fungicides provided superior disease suppression, however, Trichoderma harzianum and garlic extract emerged as viable sustainable alternatives for Fusarium wilt management in chickpea.