Control Efficacy of Serenade Formulation against Rhizoctonia and Pythium Damping-off Diseases

Abstract

Damping-off, caused by Rhizoctonia solani and Pythium ultimum, is a very important plant disease and affects seeds and seedlings of many plant species worldwide. To investigate control efficacy of Serenade formulation (1.34%, SC) against Rhizoctonia and Pythium damping-off diseases, seeds of chili pepper and cucumber were sown in soils inoculated with R. solani and P. ultimum and Serenade formulation was applied by soil-drenching with 9-, 19-, and 39-fold dilutions. Control values of Serenade formulation on Rhizoctonia damping-off of chili pepper was 58% and 29% for 9- and 19-fold dilutions, respectively. In the case of cucumber Rhizoctonia damping-off, Serenade treatments showed similar control efficacy with damping-off of chili pepper. On the other hand, control efficacy of Serenade formulation on Pythium damping-off of cucumber was less than control effects on Rhizoctonia damping-off. Only Pythium damping-off of chili pepper treated with 9-fold dilution Serenade was statistically different with untreated control. This result suggest that Serenade formulation could be effectively used for controlling Rhizoctonia and Pythium damping-off diseases.

Keywords

• Bacillus subtilis QST 713
• Chili pepper
• Cucumber
• Pythium ultimum