Abstract

                                Antibiotics (oxytetracycline hydrochloride) and bioconsortia Pseudomonas fluorescens strain (Pf1), Bacillus subtilis (EPC 5) and Trichoderma viride (Tv1) were used to evaluate their efficacy against the root (wilt) disease in coconut under two different field conditions. Field trial was conducted at hot spot area of the disease with a local ‘Tall’ variety of coconut. The results revealed that the root feeding of 100 ml of oxytetracycline hydrochloride @ 1000 ppm at monthly intervals up to one year resulted in the remission of root (wilt) disease symptoms in addition to increasing the nut yield compared to untreated control palms. This treatment was followed by the soil application of bioconsortia (Pf1+EPC5+Tv @ 100 g each+ 5 kg FYM/palm). Biochemical and physiological analysis revealed that the chlorophyll and soluble protein content were found to be increased and the stomatal resistance was found to be reduced in the bioconsortia (Pf1+EPC5+Tv) treated palms compared to control palms.

Key words : Antibiotics, Biocontrol agents, Coconut, Phytoplasma, Root (wilt) disease