Agricultural and biological treatments to overcome wilting disease of cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.) [electronic resource].

Includes references.

The investigation aimed to identify and control the causal agent of wilting disease that significantly decreases success of growing cumin, which is one of the most important medicinal, aromatic and spices plants, using safety agricultural and biological treatments. Fusarium spp. were isolated from roots of wilted cumin plants by Komada's selective medium. The pathogenic isolate of Fiusarium sp. was identified as F. oxysporum f. sp. cumini. Control experiment was carried out in new reclaimed sandy soil naturally infested by F. oxysporum f. sp. cumini at Agriculture Experimental Farm of Sohag University and fertilized organically for two successive seasons, 2006/2007 and 2007/2008. Three irrigation intervals of 2, 4 or 8 weeks and three biological treatments of cumin seeds before planting using chitosan, bion or Streptomyces alni were studied beside control (without seed treatment). The treatments were significantly effectives in the reduction of cumin wilting and increasing of growth and seeds yield. Irrigation of cumin plants every two weeks was found to be the most suitable irrigation interval in such sandy soil. All biogical compounds significantly increased survival plants percentage up to 100% compared to the control. Chitosan was the best compound for cumin growth and seeds yield. Treatment of cumin seeds by chitosan before planting followed by irrigation of plants of two weeks irrigation intervals gave the highest survival plants percentage, growth and seeds yield of cumin. The obtained results showed the possibility of overcoming wilting disease and producing cumin organically using safety treatments. This may encourage growers to increase cumin production for medicinal uses and exportation.

Summary in Arabic.

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