Role of Arka Microbial Consortium (AMC) on management of foot rot of Betelvine caused by Phytophthora parasitica in cluster villages of Tumakuru District

Abstract

Betelvine (Piper betel L.) having the heart shaped deep green leaves are an important horticultural crop of aesthetic and commercial values. The perennial climber is grown throughout the country. The studies on effect of Arka Microbial Consortium(AMC) on management of foot and stem rot of betelvine caused by Phytophthora parasitica was carried out over two consecutive years during 2013-14 and 2014-15 in three farmers field in five different cluster of Tumakuru district. Four different concentrations of 2g/l, 5g/l, 8 g/l. and 10 g/l were tried through drenching application in demonstration fields along with untreated control. The study revealed that the maximum foot rot disease was recorded in Koratagere taluk (28.40 percent) with 2g/l concentration followed by Tumakuru taluk (12.64 percent) with 2 g/l concentration. The minimum foot rot disease was recorded in Gubbi Taluk (11.23 per cent) with 8 g/l concentration followed by Sira taluk (12.64 percent) with 8 g/l concentration. The average foot rot per cent (37.40 per cent) was recorded in control plot where no sprays were undertaken. It was also observed that maximum yield 38.32 lakh leaves per ha harvested in a year with the 8 g/l concentration in Tumakuru taluk followed by 32.32 lakh leaves per ha with the 8 g/l concentration in Madhugiri taluk. It was also observed that consumer preference was more wherever the leaf harvested from AMC treated fields fetching highest price compare to other fields due to sweetness and texture of the leaf. The economic analysis showed that application of AMC resulted in highest B:C ratio of 1:3.64 compared to untreated control. The studies on adoption of the AMC clearly indicates that an average of 56.12 per cent farmers adopted the AMC technology in demonstrated village.