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International Journal of
Agriculture and Plant Science
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VOL. 8, ISSUE 4 (2026)
In-vitro evaluation of selected bioagents against Colletotrichum gloeosporioides causing anthracnose of pomegranate
Authors
Rutuja Bajarang Thombare, Dr. S L Badgujar, Amit Babrudas Bhagat, Akanksha Babasaheb Shewale, Vishakha Anilrao Thakare, Jaydip D Sirsat,
Abstract
Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) is an economically important fruit crop affected by several fungal diseases, among which anthracnose caused by Colletotrichum gloeosporioides is an important constraint to production and fruit quality. The present investigation was conducted during 2025-26 at the Department of Plant Pathology, Vasantrao Naik Marathwada Krishi Vidyapeeth, Parbhani, to evaluate selected fungal and bacterial bioagents against Colletotrichum gloeosporioides causing anthracnose of pomegranate. The pathogen was isolated from naturally infected fruits, purified on Potato Dextrose Agar and identified on the basis of cultural and morphological characteristics. Seven bioagent treatments and an untreated control were evaluated in a Completely Randomized Design with three replications. Fungal antagonists were tested by dual culture using opposing mycelial discs, whereas bacterial antagonists were evaluated by a modified dual culture assay using bacterial streaks and a central pathogen disc. All tested bioagents significantly restricted pathogen growth compared with the untreated control, which recorded 32.30 mm colony diameter. Among the seven bioagents evaluated, Trichoderma asperellum exhibited the highest antagonistic activity and restricted the pathogen growth to 5.97 mm, with 81.57 per cent inhibition of mycelial growth. It was followed by T. harzianum, which recorded 75.15 per cent inhibition. In comparison, Bacillus subtilis exhibited the lowest antagonistic activity, recording 19.30 per cent inhibition of pathogen growth. The results demonstrated that T. asperellum possessed substantial inhibitory potential against C. gloeosporioides and may serve as a promising bioagent for the biological management of pomegranate anthracnose. Further studies under greenhouse and field conditions are required to validate its efficacy and develop an effective biocontrol strategy for disease management.
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Pages:57-60
How to cite this article:
Rutuja Bajarang Thombare, Dr. S L Badgujar, Amit Babrudas Bhagat, Akanksha Babasaheb Shewale, Vishakha Anilrao Thakare, Jaydip D Sirsat, "In-vitro evaluation of selected bioagents against Colletotrichum gloeosporioides causing anthracnose of pomegranate". International Journal of Agriculture and Plant Science, Vol 8, Issue 4, 2026, Pages 57-60

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In-vitro evaluation of selected bioagents against Colletotrichum gloeosporioides causing anthracnose of pomegranate | International Journal of Agriculture and Plant Science