Simultaneous use of antagonistic fungus (Talaromyces flavus) and Treflan herbicide for integrated control of Verticillium wilt and seedling damping-off diseases of cotton.

Verticillium wilt and seedling damping-off are two important diseases of cotton in Iran. At present, using resistant cultivars and chemical pesticides are the most common methods for controlling these diseases. These methods can not be effective permanently due to the lack of stability in resistance of cultivars to diseases and pesticides. Therefore, using an integration of different management strategies is necessary. For approaching to this aim, we decided that it was necessary to conduct an extension research project based on the results of a previous research project entitled "Investigation of the effect of antagonistic fungi and weed control on the incidence of cotton Verticillium wilt and seedling damping-off diseases". For carrying out this project, first Talaromyces flavus inoculum was prepared for using in two cotton growing regions (Aslandooz and Gharebagh) of Aredebil province. Two treatments and an untreated control were placed in every region. Treatments included: 1- Soil affected by Treflan herbicide. 2- Soil affected by T. flavus inoculum and Treflan herbicide and seed affected by T. flavus inoculum. Analysis of data was carried out for seedling damping-off percent, Verticillium wilt disease severity, Verticillium wilt disease index, first harvest yield, second harvest yield, total yield and pre-maturing percent. Results showed that among two treatments and control, minimum and maximum Verticillium wilt disease severity, Verticillium wilt disease index and seedling damping-off percent were observed in treatment affected by T. flavus with Treflan herbicide and control respectively. Thus, this treatment caused maximum first harvest yield, second harvest yield and total yield in comparison with treatment affected by Treflan herbicide only and control. Maximum pre-maturing percent was observed in treatment affected by T. flavus and Treflan herbicide in Aslandooz region whereas maximum pre-maturing occurred in control in Gharebagh region.