Eco-Friendly Approaches for Management of Sclerotinia Rot in Fennel Caused by Sclerotinia Sclerotiorum (Lib.) De Bary

Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.)  is one of the major seed spice crop. It suffers from various diseases. Among these diseases, stem rot disease is becoming a considerable threat to the fennel. The present investigation aimed to evaluate eco-friendly approaches viz., Bio agent, plant extracts, and oil cakes to control Sclerotinia rot of fennel under in vitro and in vivo conditions. Maximum disease reduction was observed in the seed treatment + soil application of T. harzianum. All the tested plant extracts inhibit the mycelial growth of S. sclerotiorum under in vitro conditions. Garlic (Allium sativum) clove extract gave maximum inhibition (40.40%, 62.60 %, and 76.30%) of mycelial growth at 5, 10, and 15 per cent concentration. Seed treatment (ST) and foliar spray (FS) of plant extracts were most effective in managing disease, followed by seed treatment and foliar spray alone. Among plant extracts, garlic (Allium sativum) clove extract was found best in reducing the disease incidence (38.50%) followed by datura (Datura stramonium). Extracts of six oil cakes were screened in vitro for fungitoxicity against S. sclerotiorum, castor, and neem cake were effective in inhibiting mycelial growth. While castor cake was most effective under in vivo conditions for reducing disease incidence, followed by neem cake.