Mass multiplication of Aspergillus niger(AN-17) as a component in the integrated management of guava wilt

 

  • Guava wilt is a long standing national problem and causes substantial loss.
  • Soil-borne disease; multiple organisms involved; Fusarium oxysporum, F. solani and Gliocladium roseum are predominant; control is very difficult
  • Aspergillus niger (AN-17), a competitive saprophytic fungi, is helpful as a bio-agent component in the disease management
  • One week old culture @ 1g/kg is mixed thoroughly in farm yard manure bed (1m x 2m x 30 cm) ,sprinkled with water and covered with polyethylene sheet
  • After 4-5 days, polyethylene sheet is removed, water sprinkled to maintain about 30 per cent moisture, mixed thoroughly and again covered with polyethylene sheet. Process repeated thrice to ensure proper   multiplication of Aspergillus niger (AN-17) to have 107 cfu in FYM
  • Aspergillus niger (AN-17) enriched FYM becomes ready for use in 20 days
  • Above mixture is to be applied @ 5kg/pit at the time of planting
  • Adult trees are applied with the mixture @ 10kg/pit in the basins, mixed
  • Practice repeated every year in June in order to sustain the approach