Evaluation of Biocontrol Agents and Botanicals Against Fusarium oxysporum Under in vitro Conditions

Ravinder Singh Chauhan, Prashant Chauhan, Manoj Buswal, Narender Singh, Sanjay Kumar Yadav, Ashwani Kumar

Abstract: The ongoing struggle to maintain sustainable crop production underlines a crucial turning point for global agriculture, especially in managing soil-borne diseases like Fusarium-induced damping-off. It is evident that conventional chemical control, while once effective, has become ecologically and economically untenable due to resistance development, ecosystem disruption, and health hazards. This study offers a refreshing perspective by combining biological control agents, organic amendments, and botanicals into a cohesive management framework. The integration of Trichoderma spp. and Pseudomonas spp. with organic carriers such as farmyard manure and vermicompost demonstrates how ecological interactions can be harnessed for disease suppression. This suggests that the success of biological interventions depends not only on antagonistic potential but also on their adaptability within the rhizosphere ecosystem. Laboratory and greenhouse trials further reveal that botanicals like Azadirachta indica, Eucalyptus globulus, and Ocimum basilicum possess notable inhibitory effects on Fusarium spp., emphasizing the untapped potential of plant-derived compounds. Taking this further, the study bridges microbiology, ecology, and agronomy to propose a resilient, environmentally responsible alternative to chemical fungicides, aligning well with modern principles of integrated pest management and sustainable soil health restoration.

Keywords: Fusarium damping-off, biological control, Trichoderma, organic amendments, sustainable agriculture

How to Cite?: Ravinder Singh Chauhan, Prashant Chauhan, Manoj Buswal, Narender Singh, Sanjay Kumar Yadav, Ashwani Kumar, "Evaluation of Biocontrol Agents and Botanicals Against Fusarium oxysporum Under in vitro Conditions", Volume 14 Issue 12, December 2025, International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), Pages: 250-253, https://www.ijsr.net/getabstract.php?paperid=SR251111153229, DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.21275/SR251111153229