Compatibility of Fungal Root Endophyte Piriformospora indica with New Generation Fungicides

Colletotrichum gloeospoiodes causing anthracnose is an important fungal disease of yard long bean infecting leaf, stem, petiole, flower and pod leading to significant yield loss. New generation fungicides viz. strobilurins and triazoles are widely used in the management of the disease. Piriformospora indica is a widely used beneficial root endophytic fungus that suppresses plant diseases in addition to enhanced growth promotion. The present study was outlined in completely randomized design (CRD) to test the compatibility of P. indica with the new generation fungicides commonly used in managing yard long bean anthracnose by poison food technique in petri dishes and broth media and by calculating the percentage of chlamydopsore germinated. The results revealed that P. indica was compatible with strobilurins, combination fungicides of strobilurins and triazoles, carbendazim and pencycuron upto 90 per cent till 350 ppm in poison food and broth experiments. Moreover, germination of the chlamydospores was significant in number in these fungicides. But, triazole fungicides completely inhibited the mycelial growth and chlamydopsore germination of P. indica. Thus, from the present experiment it was clear that P. indica is compatible with strobilurins and combination fungicides.