Abstract

                                The influence of moisture levels, inoculum potential and incubation period on the competitive saprophytic ability of Macrophomine phaseolina was studied. Experimental results revealed that in both levels of inoculum i.e.,50 & 100 g/kg of soil the saprophytic survival of Macriphomina phaseolina on groundnut stem bits was maximum at 40 % moisture levels as against 60 and 80% moistures levels. CSA was increasing with increase in incubation period at 40 per cent while it decreased progressively with increase in incubation period at 60 and 80% moisture levels. However variation in the diseases incidence was observed according to level of inoculum added.

Key words : Macrophomina phaselina. Moisture Holding Capacity (MHC), Competitive Saprophytic Ability (CSA).