Integrated approach for managing Fusarium wilt of chickpea using Azadirachta indica leaf extract, Trichoderma harzianum and Bavistin

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) crop suffers a heavy economic loss as a consequence of wilt incurred by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ciceri (Foc). Plant extracts, biocontrol agents or chemicals have high potential in its management and elevating crop production. Therefore, a 2-year study was conducted using an integrated management approach involving leaf extract of Azadirachta indica (Neem), biocontrol agent Trichoderma harzianum and the fungicide Bavistin. A. indica + T. harzianum (seed treatment) + Bavistin (seed treatment) enhanced seed emergence (20% and 22%); A. indica + T. harzianum (soil application) + Bavistin (seed treatment) caused the highest reduction in wilt incidence (70%), with the greatest increase in number of root nodules (86% and 93%) and pods (98% and 99%) per plant and enhancement of chickpea yield (49% and 47%), respectively, by increasing the soil population of T. harzianum and decreasing the Foc growth in soil. This treatment exhibited the most significant improvement in infected plants’ chlorophyll (147% and 140%) and phenolic (52% and 57%) contents; treatment with A. indica + T. harzianum (soil application) + Bavistin (soil application) caused maximum enhancement of 79% and 82% in leghemoglobin content over the two consecutive years of cropping, respectively. Integrated use of A. indica leaf extract and Bavistin as a seed treatment for chickpea and soil application of T. harzianum may manage chickpea Fusarium wilt and enhance yield, but this needs to be validated on a commercial basis.