EFFECT OF DIFFERENT PLANT ACTIVATORS AGAINST RHIZOCTONIA SOLANI CAUSING ROOT ROT OF CHILLI

Abstract

Chilli is an important horticultural crop all over the world. Root rot of chilli is the most important disease caused by Rhizoctonia solani responsible for immense losses. Systemic acquired resistance (SAR) acting as a significant part in the proficiency of plants to protect themselves by means of hyper-sensitive reaction (HR) of plants toward the destructive pathogens. Additionally, SAR reveals as long time defense approach that may be weeks to months or sometimes throughout the entire season. The aim of this study was to induce systemic acquired resistance (SAR) against R. solani in chilli crop. Five plant activators salicylic acid, potassium dihydrogen phosphate (KH₂PO₄), di-potassium hydrogen phosphate (K₂HPO₄), benzoic acid and citric acid were evaluated under Lab. and field conditions with three different concentrations (1, 2 and 3%). Salicylic acid gave better result at 3% concentration. After 3rd application, salicylic acid at 21 days interval expressed minimum disease incidence as compared to others treatments. At concentration of 3 % after twenty-one days of spraying salicylic acid showed minimum disease incidence (9.667%) followed by KH₂PO₄ (16.433%), K₂HPO₄ (20.241%), benzoic acid (23.367%) and citric acid (28.667%) while control expressed maximum disease incidence (86.467%). So, it is concluded that salicylic acid gave better result than others treatments.