Potential of fungicides, botanicals and biocontrol agents to induce physio-biochemical tolerance on Curcuma longa impaired by Colletotrichum gloeosporioides

Abstract

Necrotic leaf spot of Curcuma longa (turmeric) limits the chief physio-biochemical activity for maintaining the plant health and productivity. In the present study, polyhouse and open field trials were conducted to estimate the pathogenicity of C. gloeosporioides on turmeric and to evaluate the foliar efficiency of propiconazole @ RD and copper oxychloride, extracts of A. indica, A. sativum and O. sanctum @ 40%, and culture filtrates of T. viride, T. harzianum and T. virens @ 4×106 cfu/ml in inducing physio-biochemical tolerance of pathogen inoculated and non-inoculated plants. In both the trials, these three agents yielded the highest efficiency to enhance the physio-biochemical traits. The induced physio-biochemical tolerance in treated turmeric plants showed variation in the elevation of plant health and immunity in response to pathogen aggressiveness or disease severity. However, phytophenol content was quite higher in infected plants than non-infected plants due to initiation of defense reaction in response of pathogenic elicitors. Thus, the present study demonstrated the novelty of physio-biochemical tolerance induction on turmeric plants by using fungicides, biocontrol agents and phytoextracts. Highlights Foliar treatments improve desirable plant physio-biochemical traits against pathogen. Physio-biochemical variation induces the innate plant defense system. High phytophenol accumulation counteracts the pathogenic stress. Turmeric plant’s health and yield enhance by the reduction of disease intensity.