Title: Effects of biocontrol agents and plant products Macrophomina phaseolina and colchicine content in Gloriosa superba
Abstract: Gloriosa superba is a medicinal plant severely infested with soil-borne Macrophomina phaseolina (Tassi) Goid. Under in vitro conditions a commercial formulation of Trichoderma viride and Pseudomonas fluorescens inhibited the mycelial growth of M. phaseolina isolates. Among the oil cake, mahua cake at 10% completely inhibited the mycelial growth of the M. phaseolina isolates. Under field conditions both the soil and foliar application of biocontrol agents is attributed to the healthy growth of G. superba crops by controlling the tuber rot disease and ultimately boosting the colchicine content.