Wednesday, 21 June 2006 - 12:10 PM

Using Microbial and Organic Inputs for Soilborne Disease Management in Valencia Peanut.

Soumaila Sanogo and Naveen Puppala. New Mexico State Univ, Las Cruces, NM 88003-8003

 

 

 

In the US, peanut cultivation is constrained by numerous foliar and root diseases. In New Mexico, root diseases caused by various soilborne fungal pathogens are the primary production concerns. Previous research has shown that soilborne fungal diseases reduce yields and the marketability value of peanut pods. Application of fungicides is the widely adopted management scheme for controlling soilborne diseases in order to maintain profitability of production. This management scheme may lead to several negative outcomes such as environmental degradation, fungicide contamination of harvested pods, and development of resistant populations of soilborne pathogens. This research aims at providing peanut producers with viable alternatives that are economically and ecologically sound using microbial and organic inputs which have activity against soilborne pathogens. Peanut pod discoloration was reduced by 12 to more than 60% with seed treatment with a streptomyces-based inoculant and furrow treatment with a capsaicin-based organic extract. Peanut grade was unaffected by any of the treatments compared to control. A yield increase of about 15% was recorded when seeds were treated with the microbial inoculant. Results suggest that microbial and organic inputs have potential in increasing yield and quality of peanut in production environment in which soilborne diseases are of a concern.

 

 

 


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