Published Paper Details:

Basal stem rot (Ganoderma wilt) disease caused by Ganoderma spp is the most destructive disease of coconut. Described detailed basal stem rot (BSR) disease symptoms on coconut palm. BSR pathogens Ganoderma applanatum (Pers) Pat and G.lucidum (Leys.) Karst was isolated from brackets and tissues of root and stem of coconut. Different management practices including cultural methods, chemical control and also biological control of the basal stem rot disease induced by Ganoderma spp, were reviewed in this chapter. Detailed investigations in the biological control of this disease were carried out. In vitro studies revealed that the native biocontrol agents viz., Trichoderma viride, T.harzianum and T.hamatum were very effective in checking the radial growth of both the Ganoderma spp as well as in the production specific volatile and non-volatile metabolites that are antagonistic to the basal stem rot disease pathogens. All the three Trichoderma spp, were found to check the basal stem rot disease of coconut at field level effectively when applied at the rate of 50 gms of talc powder formulation in conjunction with 5 kg neem cake per palm/year. Based on the results, an integrated disease management with biological control as key component was formulated to combat the disease at field level. The formulated IDM strategy against BSR of coconut include application of 50g of talc powder formulation of T.viride along with 5 kg neem cake /tree/ annum for a continuous period of over three years besides other cultural practices.