EVALUATION OF GLIOCLADIUM SPECIES FOR CONTROL OF BOTRYTIS CORM ROT OF GLADIOLUS VARIETY

Botrytis corm rot (Botrytis gladiolorum) is one of the most important and destructive diseases of gladiolus and poses a major constraint in production of flowers and corms all over the world. An In vivo experiment was conducted to determine the efficacy, antagonistic potential and disease reduction capacity of four Gliocladium species as biological control agents against Botrytis corm rot (Botrytis gladiolorum) of gladiolus. The maximum disease infection level control was obtained by Gliocladium virens (72.22%), followed by G. catenulatum (65.91%) and lastly by G. roseum (42.52%). Gliocladium roseum and G. catenulatum gave significantly higher corm weight than the rest of the Gliocladium species. Of all the Gliocladium species tested, G. virens showed significant increase of plant growth and flowering related parameter. Gliocladium virens was also superior to the remaining three species of Gliocladium, as well as over the non-inoculated control. The four species of Gliocladium showed significant reduction of disease incidence and increased corm weight and cormels, plant height, rachis length, length and diameter of florets.