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ThesisItem Open Access Epidemiology and management of downy mildew of vegetable pea incited by Peronospora viciae f. sp. pisi Sydow Boerema & Verhoeven(G. B. Pant University of Agriculture & Technology, Pantnagar, Uttarakhand. PIN 263145, 2022-09) Bathula, Jagadeesh; Singh, R. P.Downy mildew caused by Peronospora viciae f. sp. pisi (Sydow) Boerema & Verhoeven is a serious foliar disease of vegetable pea. It may cause yield losses up to 55 per cent in susceptible varieties. Seed treatment and foliar fungicides provide an effective means of disease management but when this management strategy combined with sustainable approaches, the disease can be managed successfully. In the present study, efforts were made to investigate the yield loss due to downy mildew, use of chemical and biological seed treatments to reduce seed borne inoculum, cost-effective chemical control through new molecules, effect of sowing, varieties and influence of weather parameters on disease development. Screening of vegetable pea germplasms against downy mildew was also undertaken. Maximum avoidable yield losses due to protection by foliar spray of Cymoxanil 8% + mancozeb 64% were found in Arkel (34.29%), followed by AP-3 (29.44%) on first date of sowing (17th November), while in PSM-3 maximum (23.52%) avoidable yield losses was found at 3rd date of sowing (1st December). Among the fungicides and biological seed treatments under glasshouse conditions, seed treatment with combination of Metalaxyl 35% WS + Bacillus subtilis var. amyloliquefaciens and Metalaxyl 35% WS + Streptomyces lydicus found to be the best with less disease incidence and severity. Seed treatment with Metalaxyl 35% WS and 2 foliar sprays at 15 days interval starting 30 days after sowing by Fluopicolide 4.44% + fosetyl-Al 66.67% WG @ 2000 g ha-1 provided the minimum disease severity (15.78 PDI) and highest yield (52.53 q ha-1) followed by Iprovalicarb 5.5% + propineb 61.25% WP @ 1600 g ha-1 and Famoxadone 16.6% + cymoxanil 22.1% SC @ 500 g ha-1 but, Famoxadone 16.6% + cymoxanil 22.1% SC provided highest net benefit cost ratio (2.22) followed by Cymoxanil 8% + mancozeb 64% WP (2.05). Lesser disease and higher yield were obtained from variety PSM-3 sown on 24th November. The maximum increase in downy mildew was recorded 40 days after sowing, and temperature range of 5.5-22.05°C and 55-96.05% relative humidity along with 7.5 mm rainfall favored the disease development. Disease severity was found to be positively correlated with minimum temperature and rainfall. Out of 89 vegetable pea germplasms screened under natural epiphytotic conditions, PSM-11, PCPGR-6091 and Selection-23 were found to be resistant, while Multi frozen, Pila Lubix, Little Marvel Lincoln, EFL-9, PSM-3, Pant Upahar were found to be moderately resistant to downy mildew.ThesisItem Open Access Development of microbial consortia for f the management of chickpea wilt caused by Fusarium oxysporum.sp. ciceris(G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, District Udham Singh Nagar, Uttarakhand. PIN - 263145, 2022-10) Amirtha Lingam. V; Tewari, A.K.Chickpea wilt caused by F. oxysporum f.sp ciceris is one of the most devastating disease of chickpea in India and all over the world, this pathogen can cause yield losses up to 10-94 per cent depending on inoculum and environmental conditions. Use of chemical fungicides could not effectively manage this disease due to its soil borne nature. The pathogen survives in soil up to 6 years in the form of chlamydospores as a source of primary inoculum. Presently, single microbe-based biocontrol strategies are used for plant disease management. Inconsistent performance of single antagonists can be related to limited competition in the soil microbiome. In view of above present study “Development of microbial consortia for the management of chickpea wilt caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ciceris” was undertaken. During the Rabi season (2017-18), chickpea plants showed wilt symptoms were collected, isolated and identified up to molecular level as Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. ciceris. Fungal and bacterial antagonists (T.asperellum strains Th-14, Th-17, Th-19 and TCMS 36 and P. fluorescens strains Psf-2, and Psf-173) recommended for the management of chickpea wilt pathogen were selected for the consortia study. Antagonists were prepared in 14 different combinations and compatibility was checked by three methods and in all the methods it has been observed that all the consortia combinations were found compatible with each other. Antagonism action of consortia against pathogen was also studied using three different methods. In dual culture (mycoparasitism) study Th14+TCMS36 showed 61 per cent mycelial parasitization. In paired plate technique effect of volatile compounds of Th14+Psf173 showed significant maximum mycelial inhibition (66.67%). In cell free culture method the effect of non- volatile compounds of Th14+Psf173 showed maximum mycelial growth inhibition (74.81%). In glasshouse studies Th17+Psf173 and TCMS36+Psf173 were showed maximum per cent seed germination (96.67 % in each) with minimum pre-emergence mortality (3.33% in each) as compared to control (71.67% & 28.33% respectively) at 07 DAS. At 60 DAS, Th14+Psf173 showed minimum wilt incidence (6.84%) as compared to control (58.25%) and maximum wilt reduction (88.25%) over control and was at par with TCMS36+Psf173 (8.60% & 85.39 % respectively). Th14+Psf173 showed maximum vigor index (4783.17) followed by TCMS36+Psf173 (4505.67) as compared to control (2603). In field experiment pooled data revealed that Th14+Psf173 showed maximum per cent seed germination (84.80%) followed by Th17+Psf173 (83.27%) and TCMS36+Psf173 (82.93%) as compared to control (69.13%). At 120 DAS maximum wilt disease reduction was observed in Th14+Psf173 (88.54%) followed by TCMS36+ Psf173 (84.55%). Maximum mean yield was recorded in Th14+Psf174 (17.30 q/ha) followed by TCMS 36+Psf173 (16.47q/ha) and Th17+Psf173 (15.26 q/ha) as compared to control (8.05 q/ha). Consortia Th14+Psf173 and TCMS36+Psf173 were found significantly better in the induction of defence related enzymes/ compounds (Peroxidase, polyphenol oxidase, Phenylalanine ammonia lyase, Total Phenolic Content, and Superoxide dismutase) against chickpea wilt disease in glasshouse and in field.Population dynamics of antagonists were increased upto 50 DAS and it was maximum in Th14+Psf173 (22.33 & 12.67 ×104 cfu/g respectively) followed byTCMS36 + Psf173 (19.33 & 11.00 ×104 cfu/g respectively). Thereafter, population were declined till the last date of observation (125 DAS Further best performed treatment were confirmed by re isolation and characterized up to molecular level. Based on cultural, morphological, biochemical and molecular characteristics the superior introduced consortia (Th14+Psaf173 and TCMS36+ Psf173) were re-isolated and confirmed that Th14, TCMS36 and Psf173 have similar matching characteristics as of their mother culture. These findings revealed that potential introduced antagonists survived in the rhizosphere of chickpea plant instead of native strains. On the basis of present studies these two consortia could be recommended for the cost effective, ecofriendly management of chickpea wilt disease.ThesisItem Open Access Postharvest disease management of Guava caused by Colletotrichum gloeosporioides (Penz.) Penz. And Sacc.(G. B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, 2022-09) Singh, Himanshi; Singh, Himanshi; Singh, K.P.; Singh, K.P.Guava anthracnose caused by {Colletotrichum gloeosporioides (Penz.) Penz. and Sacc.) is one of the most destructive post harvest disease in India causing huge economic losses during transit and storage at market level. In Uttarakhand, the disease showed an increasing trend in all the fruit markets from 2021 to 2022.The disease severity of anthracnose in different locations in Uttarakhand market varied from 5.20 to 26.50percent. The highest mean disease incidence ranged from 15 to 50 percent was observed in both of the year. The disease was more severe in Dehradun and least in Lalkuan (Nainital) district. Biochemical changes in guava like total soluble solids, acidity, ascorbic acid, sugars, total flavonoids content, phenolic content, antioxidants were recorded under each treatment overa storage period of 12 days. Chitosan (1.5%), calcium chloride (1.50% and 2.50%) and Aloe veral: l gel treatment was most effective in maintaining shelf life, enhancing biochemical quality and in reducing postharvest losses in guava fruits. Among the post harvest dip treatment of fungicides, Tebuconazole + Trifloxystrobin at 0.15 per cent concentration was found most effective in respect of checking the anthracnose severity development in treated fruits of guava cv. L- 49.Antagonistsevaluations revealed that the Trichoderma +Pseudomonas fiuorescens at 15 g/1 concentration was found promising against the pathogen in reducing severity (79.70%) in guava. In addition the activity of inorganic salts, Calcium chloride at 2.50percentwas found highly effective in reducing disease severity (72.24%) over check. Among the plant extracts Aloe vera (1:3) was found to be the best in checking the severity of anthracnose providing (56.13%) reduction over check. Zinc oxide (0.50%) was found to be more effective among all the nano particles in reducing the disease severity. Hot water treatment at 57°C was found effective than UV irradiation showing least disease severity. Among the elicitors Salicylic acid at 2mM concentration was found to be most effective in reducing disease severity in cv. L-49 during storage. Our results suggested that susceptibility of guava cv. L-49 to anthracnose during storage is dependent on the high temperature which favours the attack of fungal pathogens causing post harvest anthracnose. Further our results indicate that effective management strategy helps in reduction of anthracnose disease as well as maintains quality of fruit.ThesisItem Open Access Integration of biological and chemical practices for the management of location specific diseases of rice(G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, District Udham Singh Nagar, Uttarakhand. PIN - 263145, 2022-08) Mehar, Priya; Bijendra KumarRice is a staple food and provides up to 50% of the dietary caloric supply and a substantial part of the protein, however, it is infected by diseases like; sheath blight, brown spot, sheath rot, false smut, etc. that results in significant yield losses. Biological control using antagonistic microbes to minimize the conventional use of chemical pesticides has recently become more prevalent. In an attempt to find an integrated control system, biological and chemical practices recommended for the management of rice disease were integrated with the objective to manage major location specific diseases namely; sheath blight, brown spot, sheath rot and false smut in rice. Five treatments viz; seed treatment with Trichoderma harzianum @ 10g/Kg seeds, seed treatment with T. harzianum @ 10g/Kg seeds + foliar spray of T. harzianum @ 10 Kg/ha at 20 DAT, seed treatment with T. harzianum @ 10g/Kg seeds + foliar spray of Propiconazole 25% EC @ 500ml/ha at booting stage, seed treatment with T. harzianum @ 10g/Kg seeds + foliar spray of T. harzianum @ 10Kg/ha at 20 DAT + foliar spray of Propiconazole 25% EC @ 500ml/ha at booting stage and seed treatment with carbendazim 50 WP @ 2g/Kg seeds + foliar spray of trifloxystrobin 25% + tebuconazole 50% WG @ 200 g/ha at booting stage were evaluated using local susceptible variety Pant Dhan-4 under field conditions during Kharif 2021. Results of the present studies indicated that of the different treatments applied alone and in combination against Sheath blight(Rhizoctonia solani), Brown spot (Cochliobolus miyabeanus), False smut (Ustilaginoidea virens) and Sheath rot of rice (Sarocladium oryzae), seed treatment with T. harzianum @ 10g/Kg seed + foliar spray of T. harzianum @ 10 Kg/ha at 20 DAT + foliar spray of propiconazole 25% EC @ 500 ml/ha at booting stage was found to be the best in managing the diseases and improving the grain yield of rice. The treatment provided 89.69 % control of sheath blight, 81.90 % control of brown spot, 80.56% and 71.16 % control of false smut on plant and spikelets basis, respectively and 91.52% control of the sheath rot as compared to untreated control. Of the different treatments, seed treatment with carbendazim @ 2g/Kg seed + foliar spray of trifloxystrobin 25% + tebuconazole 50% WG @ 200 g/ha at booting stage and seed treatment with Trichoderma harzianum @ 10g/Kg seed + one foliar spray of Trichoderma harzianum @ 10Kg/ha at 20 DAT + foliar spray of propiconazole 25% EC @ 500 ml/ha at booting stage were found to be equally most effective in improving the grain yield. The treatments recorded 60.45 and 59.89 qha-1 grain yields and were able to avoid more than 10% yield losses, respectively. Economic analysis of the results revealed that seed treatment with carbendazim @ 2g/Kg seed + foliar spray of trifloxystrobin 25% + tebuconazole 50% @ 200 g/ha at booting stage with highest incremental net benefit cost ratio of 2.58:1 was found to be the most economic combination in managing the disease. However, seed treatment with T. harzianum @ 10g/Kg seed + foliar spray of T. harzianum @ 10Kg/ha + foliar spray of propiconazole @ 500 ml/ha at booting stage with incremental net benefit cost ratio of 1.75:1 was found to be the next most economic treatment. Based on the overall efficacy and economics of the treatments it can be concluded that integration of biological and chemical management practices i.e., seed treatment with T. harzianum @ 10g/Kg seed + foliar spray of T. harzianum @ 10Kg/ha + foliar spray of propiconazole @ 500 ml/ha at booting stage is best both in terms of managing sheath blight, sheath rot, brown spot and false smut diseases of rice and in improving the grain yield of rice.ThesisItem Open Access Molecular characterization, epidemiology and management of bacterial blight of soybean (Pseudomonas savastanoi pv. glycinea)(G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, District Udham Singh Nagar, Uttarakhand. PIN - 263145, 2022-10) Kumari Surbhi; Singh, K.P.Soybean (Glycine max L. Merill) is one of the oldest and most important oilseed crop grown throughout the world. Bacterial blight of soybean caused by Pseudomonas savastanoi pv glycinea is one of the major constraints in successful cultivation of soybean causing up to 40 per cent yield losses in different areas of world. During the course of field surveys from 2019 to 2021, the disease was found to be prevalent in different districts of Uttarakhand with highest incidence in Udham Singh Nagar, Pithoragarh and Champavat. The bacterial isolates from different regions were found to slightly differ in morphology with round colonies of diameter 1 to 4 mm, white to creamish white in colour, raised and flat elevation with filamentous and entire margins. The bacterial cells were seen as rod-shaped with rounded ends in TEM photographs, with size of 0.84 μm - 1.04 μm x 0.35 - 0.43 μm. On the basis of biochemical tests, the bacterium was characterized as genus Pseudomonas. Specific markers used in the study were found useful in detecting presence of pathogen. Sequence analysis of 21 Psg isolates yielded a similarity of 93.02 to 99.33 per cent with Pseudomonas savastanoi in NCBI. The disease initiation was noticed during last week of July to first week of August. The highest and lowest values of PDI, infection rate and AUDPC were noticed in variety Shilajeet and PK-472, respectively. Highest infection rate was observed from 33 to 36th SMW. The correlation with maximum and minimum temperature and evening RH was found to be negative, while rainfall and sunshine hour show positive correlation with the disease. The multiple regression analysis yielded R2 values of 0.91 to 0.93, indicating greater than 90 per cent involvement of weather factors in affecting variation of disease severity. Minimum temperature and evening RH were found to be the most contributing factor to disease development with the help of step-wise regression. Gompertz and Logistic models were found to predict most accurate values of disease severity. Fifteen genotypes including PS-1092, PS-1611, PS-1024, PS-1042, PS-1241, PK-564, PS-20, PS-22, Alankar, PS1025, Type-49, Bhatt, Shivalik, VLS-59 and SL-688 were found to harbour the Rpg1b gene and also exhibited resistance response to the disease in the field. The random primers used in the study were found useful for study of polymorphism among soybean genotypes. Under in vitro trial a comparable size of inhibition zone was obtained in case of Streptocycline (100 ppm) + Copper oxychloride (100 ppm), Streptocycline (100 ppm) + Copper hydroxide (200 ppm) and Streptocycline alone at 400 ppm whereas, Copper oxychloride was found to provide a similar control at a high concentration of 1600 ppm. Seed treatment with Streptocycline (0.01 %) + Copper oxychloride (0.1% ppm) was found to be most effective. Foliar spray of Streptocycline (0.015 %) provided at par control with combination of Streptocycline and copper fungicides and was found to be most economical.ThesisItem Open Access Impact of weather parameters on the occurrence of brown rust and germplasm screening against yellow (Puccinia striiformis f.sp. tritici) and brown rust (Puccinia triticina Erisk) of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)(G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, District Udham Singh Nagar, Uttarakhand. PIN - 263145, 2022-10) Joshi, Vasundhra; DeepshikhaWheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is most elementary and basic cereal crop consumed by 2.5 billion of world population. The most devastating pathogens which affect wheat worldwide are leaf or brown rust, stripe rust or yellow rust and black rust or stem rust. Out of these leaf and stripe rust appear periodically on wheat crop and induce heavy losses in yield. Although application of chemical is emergent tool for the management of rust but it is not an sustainable and economic way to eradicate rust. Partial resistance, gene deployment for developing resistant variety are some ways to control leaf and stripe rust in effective way. Also Epidemiological studies help us to understand the development and progress of disease and establish correlation between environmental factors and disease development. The present studies were carried out with the following objectives 1. Screening of germplasms of wheat for disease resistance against leaf and stripe rust under epiphytotic conditions 2.analysis of disease severity with Area under progress curve 3.To determine the role of weather parameters on leaf rust disease development in wheat. In the study Out of 158 germplasm accession ,48 accessions were found phenotypically resistant to stripe rust (numbered as 10, 121, 122, 123, 130, 129, 139, 152, 155, 156, 37, 1, 19, 21, 41, 18, 22, 23, 27, 45, 52, 58, 62, 65, 72, 74, 77, 78, 82, 84, 86, 88, 91, 92, 93, 94, 2, 5, 8, 104, 107, 109, 111, 113, 117, 118, 134, 136) and 12 accessions were found resistant to leaf rust (numbered as 1, 115, 118, 61, 41, 138, 136, 145, 40, 152, 42 & 116). Lower Audpc was observed in 46 accessions (accession number 10, 121, 122, 123, 130, 129, 139, 152, 155, 156, 37, 1, 19, 21, 41, 18, 22, 23, 48, 52, 58, 62, 65, 72, 74, 77, 82, 84, 86, 88, 91, 92, 93, 2, 5, 8, 104, 107, 109, 111, 113, 117, 118, 125, 134 & 136) for stripe rust and in 11 acessions(accession number 1, 118, 61, 138, 136, 145, 40, 152, 115, 42, 116) for leaf rust. Study of correlation of disease severity of leaf rust with weather parameters reveal that there was increase in minimum and maximum temperature with disease severity and decline was observed in relative humidity(morning) and relative humidity (evening) and negative significant correlation was observed with rainfall and number of rainy days. Also through multiple regression analysis the R2 was calculated more than 90 per cent for the year 2020-21.ThesisItem Open Access Impact of weather parameters on the occurrence of brown rust and germplasm screening against yellow (Puccinia striiformis f.sp. tritici) and brown rust (Puccinia triticina Erisk) of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)(G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, District Udham Singh Nagar, Uttarakhand. PIN - 263145, 2022-10) Joshi, Vasundhra; DeepshikhaWheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is most elementary and basic cereal crop consumed by 2.5 billion of world population. The most devastating pathogens which affect wheat worldwide are leaf or brown rust, stripe rust or yellow rust and black rust or stem rust. Out of these leaf and stripe rust appear periodically on wheat crop and induce heavy losses in yield. Although application of chemical is emergent tool for the management of rust but it is not an sustainable and economic way to eradicate rust. Partial resistance, gene deployment for developing resistant variety are some ways to control leaf and stripe rust in effective way. Also Epidemiological studies help us to understand the development and progress of disease and establish correlation between environmental factors and disease development. The present studies were carried out with the following objectives 1. Screening of germplasms of wheat for disease resistance against leaf and stripe rust under epiphytotic conditions 2.analysis of disease severity with Area under progress curve 3.To determine the role of weather parameters on leaf rust disease development in wheat. In the study Out of 158 germplasm accession ,48 accessions were found phenotypically resistant to stripe rust (numbered as 10, 121, 122, 123, 130, 129, 139, 152, 155, 156, 37, 1, 19, 21, 41, 18, 22, 23, 27, 45, 52, 58, 62, 65, 72, 74, 77, 78, 82, 84, 86, 88, 91, 92, 93, 94, 2, 5, 8, 104, 107, 109, 111, 113, 117, 118, 134, 136) and 12 accessions were found resistant to leaf rust (numbered as 1, 115, 118, 61, 41, 138, 136, 145, 40, 152, 42 & 116). Lower Audpc was observed in 46 accessions (accession number 10, 121, 122, 123, 130, 129, 139, 152, 155, 156, 37, 1, 19, 21, 41, 18, 22, 23, 48, 52, 58, 62, 65, 72, 74, 77, 82, 84, 86, 88, 91, 92, 93, 2, 5, 8, 104, 107, 109, 111, 113, 117, 118, 125, 134 & 136) for stripe rust and in 11 acessions(accession number 1, 118, 61, 138, 136, 145, 40, 152, 115, 42, 116) for leaf rust. Study of correlation of disease severity of leaf rust with weather parameters reveal that there was increase in minimum and maximum temperature with disease severity and decline was observed in relative humidity(morning) and relative humidity (evening) and negative significant correlation was observed with rainfall and number of rainy days. Also through multiple regression analysis the R2 was calculated more than 90 per cent for the year 2020-21.ThesisItem Open Access Status and distribution of root knot nematode (Meloidogyne spp.) and other plant parasitic nematodes associated with rice (Oryza sativa L.) in Dehradun and Haridwar districts of Uttarakhand(G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, District Udham Singh Nagar, Uttarakhand. PIN - 263145, 2022-07) Wankhede, Gajanan Mulchand; Wankhede, Gajanan Mulchand; Satya Kumar; Satya KumarAn extensive survey has been carried out in Dehradun and Haridwar districts of Uttarakhand and 148 samples were collected. Locations are mapped using arc GIS software. Microscopic morphological studies revealed the presence of ten genera of PPN’s viz., Criconemoides spp., Ditylenchus spp., Hoplolaimus spp., Helicotylenchus spp., Hirschmanniella spp., Meloidogyne spp., Pratylenchus spp., Tylenchorhynchus spp., Tylenchus spp. and Xiphinema spp. Hirschmanniella spp. was the most predominant PPN in five blocks followed by Meloidogyne spp. in three blocks. Maximum total nematode population among all blocks was recorded from Garhi Shyampur village (4349/200cc soil) of Rishikesh block of Dehradun and Tihri village (4217/200cc soil) of Bahadrabad Block from Haridwar. Maximum total RKN population (4700 J2/200cc soil and per g root) was recorded from village Redapur of Sahaspur Block from Dehradun district and Aiki village from Laksar Block of Haridwar district (12233 J2/200cc soil and per g root). Highest average population of Hirschmanniella spp. was found in Doiwala block with 598 Individual/200cc of soil and of Meloidogyne spp. in Laksar and Roorkee block with 612 J2/200cc of soil. Soil pH showed negative correlation with Helicotylenchus spp., Meloidogyne spp., Pratylenchus spp., Tylenchorhynchus spp. and Tylenchus spp. Soil organic carbon showed negative correlation with Helicotylenchus spp., Hirschmanniella spp., Meloidogyne spp., Pratylenchus spp. and Tylenchorynchus spp. Soil moisture showed positive significant correlation with Cricocemoides spp., Ditylenchus spp., Helicotylenchus spp., Hirschmanniella spp., Meloidogyne spp., Pratylenchus spp., and Xiphinema spp. Soil temperature showed negative significant correlation with Helicotylenchus spp., Hirschmanniella spp., Meloidogyne spp. and Tylenchorynchus spp. Shannon-Wiener Diversity Index of 1.75 is calculated for Dehradun district and 1.66 for Haridwar district which shows that species in Dehradun are higher with more even distribution Based on the results present study, it is inferred that rice root nematode is the most serious threat to the rice crop in followed by rice root-knot nematode. Both the nematodes show more than ninety per cent frequency of occurrence in all the surveyed blocks.ThesisItem Open Access Biological studies of Cordyceps militaris (l.) link and its cultivation on various agricultural waste(G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, District Udham Singh Nagar, Uttarakhand. PIN - 263145, 2022-09) Balooni, Madhur; Sharma, GeetaCordyceps militaris (L.) Link is an entomopathogenic fungus which belongs to Division Ascomycota. It is worldwide in distribution; however, its population density is quite insignificant. Major hosts belong to 12 different families of the Lepidopteran order. It has been successfully artificially cultivated in a variety of media, including brown rice, silkworm pupae and other grains. In the present study, the teleomorphic as well as anamorphic stage of fungus was observed under compound microscope and Scanning Electron Microscope. It was found that stroma (ascocarp) of fungus contains broadly ovoid, semi-immersed perithecia having filamentous asci narrowly cylindrical with an apical thick cap. Ascospores were filamentous and septate which fragmented into part spores at the time of maturity. Conidia was nonseptate, smooth and velvety; subglobose to elliptical, usually single or aggregated at the apex of phialides. Phialides were solitary or in whorls of two to three. Seven different solid media were used i.e PDA, OMA, SDAY, MYA, MEA, CZYA and V-8 for best fungal growth. Among these media, CZYA and OMA showed the best growth. Growth and sporulation (spores/ml) of fungus was studied under different colour lights i.e. blue, green, red, yellow, LED and dark condition (Control) on CZYA medium and result showed that yellow light support the fungus growth and showed maximum sporulation. Seven different agricultural wastes such as paddy straw, wheat straw, poultry litter, sawdust, waste paper, coco peat and tea waste along with brown rice (Control) were used to cultivate the fruiting bodies. Only three substrates (tea waste, poultry litter and brown rice) were able to produce fruiting bodies in which maximum biological efficiency was found in brown rice (75.15%) followed by tea waste (50%) and poultry litter (14.15%). Six different agricultural insect pests (Spodoptera litura, Helicoverpa armigera, Spodoptera frugiperda, Athalia lugens, Holotrichia serrata and Papilio demoleus) were used for fruiting body production in which both larvae and pupae of H. armigera showed a maximum infection rate (90% and 70.33%) and least in case of P. demoleus (28% and 23.66%). No stromata formation was seen in all the treatments. To test the antagonistic nature of C. militaris, dual culture was performed against five plant pathogenic fungi (Alternaria solani, Macrophomina phasiolina, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, Colletotrichum truncatum and Pythium aphanidermatum) in which maximum growth inhibition was recorded in Macrophomina phasiolina (70.41%) and minimum in Colletotrichum truncatum (53.75%). Methanolic extract of fungus was used to show gradual inhibition in the growth of two plant pathogenic bacteria ( Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae and Pseudomonas syringae pv. Glycinea) using the agar well diffusion method. The inhibition zone diameter in the case of P. syringae pv. glycinea was 0.56 cm at 25 % conc., 0.83 cm at 50 % conc., 1.13 cm at 75 % conc. and l1.46 cm at 100 % concentration. Plates kept as control did not show inhibition against test bacteria. A similar trend of growth inhibition was noticed in the case of X. oryzae pv. oryzae with increasing concentration of methanolic extract of C. militaris (i.e. 0.43 cm at 25% conc., 0.66 cm at 50% conc., 1.06 cm at 75% conc., and 1.26 cm at 100% conc.).
