Biological control of foot rot of betelvine (Piper betle L.) caused by Phytophthora parasitica Dastur

Introduction Dasgupta (2008) showed that fosetyl-Al and BM Phytophthora spp. (P. parasitica, P. nicotianae mixture were effective in controlling this var. parasitica, P. palmivora, P. capsici), are disease. Sengupta et al. (2011) recorded lower perpetual menace to the crop of betelvine, return where biological control agents (BCAs) causing foot rot and leaf rot. The extents of were used for its management However, to losses vary from 5 to 90 percent (Dasgupta & reduce toxic hazards to human beings and to get Sen 1999; Dasgupta et al. 2008). Low maximum return, attempts were made by many temperature, high humidity and diffused light workers to replace application of fungicides with that prevail inside the baroj favours vine growth BCAs (Tiwari & Mehrotra 1968; D'Souza et al. and are also congenial for the growth of the 2001; Mohanty et al. 2000). The present pathogen. The disease appears at the onset of investigations were carried out to to device a monsoon and remains in high intensity strategy for effective management of this throughout the rainy season. It wanes during the scourge of betelvine. winter and may also occur in summer months when sudden hail storms occur. Materials and Methods The foot rot caused by phytophthoras were The experiments were carried out in RBD for claimed to be ameliorated by soil application of two consecutive years using six treatments and BM (Dastur 1935; Dasgupta & Sen 1999; four replications for each. Before the start of the Dasgupta & Maiti 2008 and others). It was experiment all infected plants in treatment rows completely checked when cuttings were dipped were removed. Two rows containing 200-250 in streptomycin solution and the plants were vines were considered as a treatment plot. Each sprayed with BM (1%) twice a month (Saksena treatment was separated by a buffer row. . Biological control of foot rot of betelvine (Piper betle L.)