Experimental Measures of Multiplying Wilt Causing Pathogen C. Fimbriata for Laboratory or Field Experiment

Ceratocystis fimbriata is a major fungal pathogen that causes wilt disease in pomegranate, leading to considerable economic damage. The symptoms associated with wilt disease include yellowing, drooping, sudden wilting, or complete death within a few weeks. The use of fungicides, biocontrol agents like Trichoderma and Bacillus species, has failed to manage wilt in pomegranate efficiently, and it is often expected that integrated disease management strategies involving resistant cultivars, agricultural practices, or early disease detection requires the better understanding of pathogen. If such methods have to be effectively adopted, it necessitates extensive research involving fungi C. fimbriata, which, in turn, requires maximum quantity of inoculum. The main focus of the current study was on developing an efficient and feasible mass multiplication method for C. fimbriata using carrot substrates. The study proved that carrot chunks with limited water levels with no additions of dextrose can vigorously multiply C. fimbriata. The carrot derived nutrients were formulated as Carrot Juice Agar and showed 30% higher mycelial growth as compared to commercially available Potato Dextrose Agar. Different combined proportions of carrot, sorghum, and maize were attempted, along with the use of talcum powder as a carrier, in order to work out an optimal formulation of the substrate that would help in fast colonization, increased sporulation, and better viability of the pathogen. The efficient procedure developed in the current research also helped in the successful storage of the pathogen for up to six months. This is the first evidence where carrot was used for successful mass multiplication, ample growth and long-term storage of C. fimbriata for longer period.