Management of Sclerotium rolfsii with integration of non-conventional chemicals, vermicompost and Pseudomonas syringae

Two non-conventional chemicals, ZnSO4 (10(-4) mM) and oxalic acid (4 mM) were tested (alone as well as in combination with seeds bacterized with Pseudomonas syringae strain PUR46 and vermicompost substitution in the potting soil), for their ability to suppress collar rot of chickpea (Cicer arietinum) caused by Sclerotium rolfsii under greenhouse conditions. ZnSO4 and oxalic acid were applied as pre-inoculation foliar spray on chickpea and subsequently challenged with S. rolfsii. Both the chemicals provided significant protection to chickpea compared to control (100% plant mortality) when used alone as well as in combination with PUR46 and vermicompost. However, ZnSO4 was more effective than oxalic acid against S. rolfsii. Amongst the treatments tried, plant mortality was least when ZnSO4 was used in combination with seed bacterization with PUR46 and 25% vermicompost substitution. The findings indicate the utility of integration of the above factors in managing collar rot efficiently.