Cotton Wilt

Fusarium oxysporum was isolated from wilted cotton plants collected from Shahdad pur and Tando Jam. Pathogenicity test of F. oxysporum was conducted on four cotton varieties viz, Cris-9, TH-41/83, CIM-448 and Shahbaz- 95. The growth of artificially inoculated plants of Cris-9 and TH-41/83 significantly reduced and plants were completely dried after 20 days of inoculation. The numbers of germinated plants were also lower as compared to Shahbaz-95 and CIM-448. Carbendazim at its three doses significantly inhibited the mycelial growth of the fungus followed by Thiophanate methyl and Dithane M-45. There was no significant difference in mycelial growth of the fungus on Thiovit 35.75 mm and control 37.87 mm in which fungicide was not used. The maximum root and shoot length of cotton varieties was recorded with Carbendazim followed by Thiophanate methyl. The growth was significantly increased in Shahbaz-95 and CIM-448 as compared to Cris-9 and TH-41/83 varieties. Carbendazim also significantly reduced the colonization of F. oxysporum on root pieces of Cris-9 variety. The growth of Cris-9 also increased when plants were inoculated with low and high inoculum levels.