Characterization of endophytic yeast and its suppressive effect on root rotting fungi of tomato under neem cake soil amendment

Background The exposure of crops to a variety of fungal and bacterial pathogens leads to huge economic losses. Different strategies are being adapted to control these diseases among which the application of chemicals fungicide is common. However, these chemicals are posing a serious threat to the environment. For biological management of root rot disease of tomato and better fruit quality, studies were conducted on the possible use of endophytic yeast as a biocontrol agent. Results Endophytic yeasts were isolated from healthy plants and identified. Identification of selected isolates was confirmed on the basis of 18S rDNA gene sequencing. They were evaluated for suppressive effect on root rotting fungi in vitro and also in vivo on tomato plants, used alone or under neem cake soil amendment. Seventy-six isolates of yeasts were evaluated against root rotting fungi Fusarium oxysporum, F. solani, Rhizoctonia solani and Macrophomina phaseolina using dual culture plate assay. Seventy-five isolates were found to suppress radial growth of F. oxysporum, F. solani and M. phaseolina by producing zones of inhibition or lysing the fungal hyphae. However, none of the isolates was found to inhibit R. solani in vitro. Most of the isolates also caused nematicidal activity at varying degree against Meloidogyne javanica. All test isolates produced indole acetic acid in vitro and solubilized phosphorus. In pots and field plot experiments, test isolates of yeasts were able to suppress root rotting fungi on tomato in natural soil and soil amended with neem cake with enhancement of growth of tomato plants. Yeasts were also found to ameliorate the plant resistance through enhancing polyphenolic contents, salicylic acid and antioxidant activity. Conclusions Endophytic yeasts were found effective against root rot disease of tomato and could be used as a potential biocontrol agent for the management of soil-borne diseases of tomatoes.

Efficacy of Selected Bio-Agents and Neem Cake on Cercospora Leaf Spot and Growth of Black Gram (Vigna mungo L.)

Black gram (Vigna mungo L.) is a vital pulse crop globally and one of the most vital pulse in India. It is understood to be affected by many varieties of diseases, Cercospora leaf spot is certainly considered one among them. Cercospora leaf spot due to Cercospora canescens causes much damage to the production of black gram. The neem cake, Trichoderma viride, Pseudomonas fluorescens, Paecilomyces lilacinus, Carbendazim were tested under field conditions during Rabi 2020-2021 for their efficacy against the disease and growth and yield parameters. A survey was conducted during Rabi, 2020-2021 to know the severity of Cercospora leaf spot of black gram in farmer’s fields in Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh. In-situ (field) experiment was carried out in randomized block design with five treatments and three replications. The highest plant height at 60 DAS (56.96 cm), fresh weight (35.59 gm), dry weight (14.98 gm), number of pods per plant (18.17 pods/plant), yield (7.96 q/ha) and Benefit Cost ratio (1:3.48) showing better result when treated with treatment neem cake @ 0.5 t/ha + Trichoderma viride @ 2.5 kg/ha. The treatment T1 – neem cake @ 0.5 t/ha + Trichoderma viride @ 2.5 kg/ha significantly decreased the disease intensity at 30, 45 and 60 DAS (10.02%), (12.02%) and (16.42%) respectively. It is concluded that T1 – neem cake @ 0.5 t/ha + Trichoderma viride @ 2.5 kg/ha found superior in all the growth and yield parameters.

Assessment of weight gain and control of parasitism by Rhipicephalus microplus in dairy cattle in the field using organosynthetic parasiticide, phytotherapics and homeopathy

ABSTRACT The goal of this research was to compare the effect of the following products on dairy cattle, parasitized by Rhipicephalus microplus: organosynthetics - Clorfenvinfós and Ivermectina (OG); phytotherapics - Eucalyptus oil (EG) and Neem cake (NG); Homeopathy (HG); The control group (CG) received no treatment. Infestation was by R. microplus (MIC) and weight gain (GP) were evaluated. The study included 60 animals (5 groups) from – Dutch / Zebu, aged between 25-44 months and initial weight between 211-477kg. EG and NG showed MIC 84.9% and 14.0% greater than CG, respectively (P <0.05; P = 0). HG and OG had MIC less than CG 24.4% and 16.9%, respectively (P<0.05; P <0.05). EG, NG and OG obtained GP lower than CG in 7.9%, 8.9% and 8.06% (P <0.05) respectively. The HG GP was 4.9% higher (P <0.05) than CG. This was the first research to prove parasitism control by R. microplus in a field test, using homeopathy. The methodology for choosing Homeopathy for the control of enzooties, developed and tested for the first time in this study, proved to be adequate and efficient, opening the possibility for establishing a new methodology for strategic control of parasitism by R. microplus.

Effect of Oil Cakes and Bio-agents Each Alone and in Combination for Management of Root Knot Nematode (Meloidogyne incognita) in Green Gram

A pot experiment was carried out in the net house of Department of Nematology, OUAT, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India during June to August, 2017 on the application of oilcakes (mustard cake and neem cake) and bio-agents (Trichoderma viride, Glomus fasciculatum, Rhizobium leguminosarum) each alone and in combination for the management of root knot nematode (Meloidogyne incognita) in green gram. Result of the experiment indicated that soil application of mustard or neem cake @ 50 g m-2 with AM fungus (Glomus fasciculatum) @ 5 g m-² and seed treatment of Rhizobium @ 25 g kg-1 of green gram seed declined the root knot nematode population, number of galls plant-1, number of eggmass plant-1and root knot index with corresponding increase of plant growth parameters and chlorophyll content in green gram plant as compared to other treatments and untreated check. But integration of mustard cake @ 50 g m-2 at 2 weeks prior to sowing with AM fungus @ 5 g m-2 at 10 days before sowing and seed treatment of Rhizobium @ 25 g kg-1 green gram seed exhibited the lowest M. incognita population 200 cc soil-1 (153.33 J2), number of galls plant-1 (7.0), number of eggmass plant-1 (2.0) and root knot index (2.0) reflecting enhancement of plant growth parameters, number of pods (206.67%), number of nodules (691.17%) over untreated check. This integrated management module also recorded maximum increase in the availability of NPK content in soil and chlorophyll content as compared to other treatments.

Effect of Integrated Nutrient Management on Productivity and Economics of Indian Mustard (Brassica juncea L)

An experiment was carried out at College farm, College of Agriculture, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad, Telangana, in sandy loam soils during rabi 2020 to study the effect of integrated nutrient management on productivity and economics of Indian mustard (Brassica juncea L.). The treatments comprised were: T1- Control (100% RDF -80:40:40 kg NPK ha-1), T2 (25% RDN through Vermicompost + 75% RDF), T3 (25% RDN through Farm Yard Manure + 75% RDF), T4 (25% RDN through Sheep manure + 75% RDF), T5 (25% RDN through Neem cake + 75% RDF),T6 (50% RDN through Vermicompost + 50% RDF), T7 (50% RDN through FYM + 50% RDF), T8 (50% RDN through Sheep manure + 50% RDF), T9 (50% RDN through Neem cake + 50% RDF). The results indicated that application of 25% RDN through farm yard manure + 75% RDF (T3) recorded significantly higher yield attributes viz., number of branches plant-1, number of siliqua plant-1, length of siliqua, number of seed siliqua -1 which was at par with T2 (25% RDN through Vermicompost + 75% RDF). Higher values of gross returns, net returns and benefit cost (B:C) ratio were obtained with application of 25% RDN through FYM + 75% RDF (T3) as the cost of cultivation of T3 was lesser compared to other treatments.

​Evaluation of Bio-control Agents and Organic Amendments for Managing Root Rot (Rhizoctonia solani) of Clusterbean (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba)

Background: Root rot of clusterbean [Cyamopsis tetragonoloba (L.) Taub.] caused by Rhizoctonia solani is an important menace and causes significant economic losses in India and chemical pesticides are mostly used to overcome this problem. As per environment and health issues and demand of organic produce, the current study aimed to find the most effective control measure of this dreaded disease through eco-friendly approaches. Methods: The present field-laboratory investigations were conducted during 2018, to evaluate four bio-agents in vitro and in vivo (Trichoderma harzianum, T. viride, Bacillus subtilis and Pseudomonas fluorescens) and five organic amendments in vivo namely wool waste (@ 50 q/ ha), human hair (@ 50 q/ ha), mustard cake (@ 5 q/ ha), castor cake (@ 6 q/ ha) and neem cake (@ 5 q/ ha) were evaluated. Result: Our investigations in vitro with bio-agents depicted that T. harzianum was highly inhibitory (62.65 %) followed by T. viride (48.52%). Seed-cum-soil application (6g/kg seed + 6kg/ha) of T. harzianum was found most superior in reducing disease incidence (74.03%) followed by Trichoderma viride (69.83%) while in organic amendments, neem cake (5 q/ha) was found highly effective (70.07%) followed by castor cake (64.40%), mustard cake, wool waste and least effective was human hair. Though, wool waste and human hair least effective in disease management but preliminarily results indicated encouraging response with dual action, one in reducing disease and another in increasing plant biomass that open the future scope of further more sustainable experimentations. The findings of this study can be utilized to manage the disease effectively and eco-friendly.

Integrated Nutrient Management on Fodder Dual Purpose Oat (Avena sativa L.)

Aim: To study the effect of integrated nutrient management (INM) on growth, yield and quality of dual purpose fodder oat. Study Design: Randomized Block Design. Place and Duration of Study: Anand Agricultural University, Anand during Rabi 2019-2021. Methodology: The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with four replications. The experimental treatments were consisted of ten INM treatments viz., T1 (100% recommendation dose of fertilizer; RDF’ 80-40-00 kg NPK/ha), T2 (10 t FYM/ha + 100% RDF), T3 (castor cake/ha + 100% RDF), T4 (poultry manure/ha + 100% RDF), T5 (neem cake/ha + 100% RDF), T6 (5 t FYM + 25% RDN from FYM + 75% RDF + biofertilizer), T7 (5 t FYM + 25% RDN from castor cake + 75% RDF + biofertilizer), T8 (5 t FYM + 25% RDN from poultry manure + 75% RDF + biofertilizer), T9 (5 t FYM + 25% RDN from neem cake + 75% RDF + biofertilizer) and T10 (50% RDN from FYM + 50% RDN from castor cake + biofertilizer). Amount of castor cake, poultry manure and neem cake were applied based on 10 t FYM/ha equivalent N, i.e., respectively 1.45, 3.23 and 3.27 t/ha. Results: The results revealed that quality parameters of fodder oat such as dry matter, dry matter yield, crude protein, ADF, NDF, crude fiber contents as well as ash content of green fodder and straw were found significant superior with application of T6 and T10 treatments. Similarly, NPK content and their uptake into the seed and straw were also found significantly higher with the same treatments. The physicochemical and biological properties of experimental field soil at harvest of oat crop were also considerably improved due to application of INM treatment as compared to initial soil nutrient status.

Nutrient Composition of Fodder Maize according to Organic Fertilization

Supplementation of inferior quality roughages with organic fertilizer coming up as a practical approach to increasing crop productivity significantly by way of increasing biological nitrogen fixation, increasing availability or uptake of nutrients through solubilization or increasing absorption stimulation of plant growth through hormonal action or antibiosis or decomposition of organic residues and this reflect to improving roughages utilization and digestibility by animal. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of supplementation of three types of organic fertilizers; Neem cake (Azdirachta indica), Argel (Solennostemma argel/Del. Hayenne) and Field fertilizer on nutritional quality of fodder maize (Zea mays L.). Four treatments were conducted which included Neem cake, Argel , Field Fertilizer and control. The experiment was arranged in a Complete Randomized Block Design, with three replicated. The results showed that no significant differences (P ˃ 0.05) were indicated in all nutrient components of fodder maize except for crude protein (CP). CP increased significantly (P ˂ 0.05) by organic fertilizers comparing with control. Neem cake had the highest value of CP than argel and field fertilizer. No significant differences (P ˃ 0.05) were detected in minerals content measured when used Neem cake, Argel and Field fertilizer as organic fertilizer. It is concluded that organic fertilizers enhanced CP content and quality of fodder maize. As advantages, organic fertilizers is a cheap source of nitrogen that deficient in plant, and is safer than using chemical fertilizers and can avoid any adverse effect on animal health , soil and environmental hazards.

Effect of oil cake extract and organic manure on wilt of chickpea (Cicer areitinum L.) caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ciceri in vitro

Studies were conducted to test the effect of oil cakes and organic manures on the growth of wilt pathogen under in vitro conditions. The extract of different oil cakes and organic manures were tested against F. oxysporum f. sp. ciceri by poisoned food techniques in vitro. Least growth of pathogen was recorded in extracts of Neem cake showing excellent inhibitory effect of 70.87 percent reduction over control. Next best in order of mustard cake (65.36 %), linseed (62.99%), groundnut (53.36%) and least by other. Among the organic manures tested, vermi compost and FYM showed maximum growth inhibition of 35.95 and 30.62 percent over control, respectively.

Effect of organic manures as INM component on growth and yield of chilli (Capsicum annuum L.)

A field experiment was conducted during rabi season of 2019 at farmer’s field in Panruti near Cuddalore district (Tamil Nadu) to study effect of organic manures as INM component on growth, yield and quality of chilli (Capsicum annuum L.) in a randomized block design. The treatments consisted of recommended dose of fertilizers at two levels (160:60:30 and 120:45:22.5 kg NPK ha-1) and organic manures (20 t FYM ha-1, 50 kg Bio ash ha-1, 5 t press mud granules ha-1, 20 kg Sea weed extract granules ha-1 and 5 t neem cake ha-1) and replicated three times. The growth and yield parameters of chilli were significantly influenced due to application of organic manures. Among the treatments, 75% RDF + 20 t FYM + 20 kg Sea weed extract granules + 5 t neem cake ha-1 (T8) exhibited better performances of growth and yield parameters of chilli cv. Indus 13. The maximum values of growth parameters such as plant height, leaves plant-1, branches plant-1, canopy volume, chlorophyll content in the leaves and net photosynthetic rate were observed in this treatment (T8). The yield parameters such as days to first flowering, days to 50% flowering, flowers plant-1, fruit set, fruits plant-1, fruit length, fruit girth, pericarp thickness, pulp seed ratio, single fruit weight, total fruit yield (28.18 t ha-1) and quality parameters like capsaicin content (0.76%) and ascorbic acid content (171.3 mg g-1) were highest in this treatment (T8) suggested this is the best integrated nutrient management combination for chilli. Application of 100% RDF (160 : 30 : 30 kg ha-1) proved inferior in respect of growth and yield of chilli.