Evaluation of Bioformulation for the Management of Gummy Stem Blight Disease in Muskmelon

Penicilliumverruculosum (KU645999) isolated from rhizospheric soil of healthy muskmelon plants was used for bio formulation along with the potential crude oligosaccharide elicitor extracted from its cell wall. Their ability was evaluated for the control of gummy stem blight disease of muskmelon under green house condition. Different carrier materials (Talc, Rice Bran and Wheat bran) were tested for the survival of the fungus up to 90 days and found that talc based formulation was very efficient carrier material for the fungal population survival among all the carrier materials tested. The bio formulation was evaluated for disease protection against Stagonosporopsiscucurbitacearum(KJ782214)in muskmelon after challenge inoculation by the pathogen. The results showed that talc based formulation was best in disease protection induction with 81.62% followed by rice bran 73.05% and 70.05% by wheat bran compared to positive control of 93.42%. Present study reveals that talc based bio formulation of Penicillium verruculosumsupplemented with its crude oligosaccharide elicitor enhances the resistance to gummy stem blight disease of muskmelon under green house conditions.