MANAGEMENT OF BASAL STEM ROT OF ARECANUT (ARECA CATECHU L.) UNDER ASSAM CONDITION

Abstract

Among the various factors causing considerable loss in production of arecanut in the state, basal stem rot disease caused by the fungus Ganoderma lucidum (Curtis Ex. Fr.) Karst, is the most dreaded. Survey indicated that in different parts of Assam, disease incidence of 0.1-65% was observed. Studies were undertaken to develop an effective management practices both in vitro and in vivo against the disease at CPCRI Research Centre, Kahikuchi. Among the fungicides tried in vitro, calixin (Tridemorph, 80EC) @ 0.3% completely inhibited the growth of the fungus, followed by bavistin (Carbendazin, 50WP) @ 0.3% with 91.33% inhibition over control after 144 hrs of incubation. Dual culture study carried out with three different species of Trichoderma revealed that T. viride was most effective, followed by T. harzianum and T. virens with 66.55, 63.99 and 62.12 per cent inhibition over control after 96 hrs of incubation. Based on the in vitro study, a field trial was undertaken to develop locationspecific, farmers’-friendly management practices to reduce the severity and spread of the disease. The treatment, T₁ - soil drenching with calixin (0.3%) @ 10 l/palm at quarterly interval was most effective followed by T₄ application of neem cake (2 kg/palm/ year) fortified with T.viride (100g/palm/year) in controlling the disease.