BIOLOGICAL CONTROL OF BLACK PEPPER DISEASES

Abstract

In black pepper (Pipe nigrum L) Phytophthora caused diseases are severe especially during south west monsoon season. In the aerial phase P. capsici infects leaves, spikes and branches causing defoliation and in the soil phase injection of roots lead to slow decline. Infection of collar leads to sudden collapse of the vine. To control both aerial and soil phase and integrated approach involving cultural, chemical and biological methods is advocated. Antagonistic fungi such as Gliocladium virens and Trichoderma spp. are used to suppress soil populations of P. capsici along with chemicals for the control of aerial phase.