Fusarium wilt (Fusarium oxysporum f. sp., ciceri) is one of the major yield limiting factors of chickpea (Cicer arietinum). For eco-friendly and sustainable management of the disease, two species of antagonists (Trichoderma viride and Trichoderma harzianum) and chemical fungicide (Carbendazim 50 WP) alone or in combination with farm yard manure (FYM) were evaluated against the pathogen. The study was carried out under laboratory and field conditions. In vitro results showed that T. viride and T. harzianum alone or in combination significantly inhibited the mycelial growth of the pathogen. Different concentrations (10, 50 and 100 ppm) of Carbendazim 50 WP showed significant inhibition in the mycelia growth, and a concentration of 100 ppm completely inhibited the mycelia growth of the pathogen. Result indicates that seed treatment with T. viride and T. harzianum reduced the wilt incidence significantly, and increased the seed germination as compared to control. Application of bio-agents alone or in combination with FYM enhanced the plant growth parameters significantly, that is, dry weight, root length and grain yield. The lone treatment with carbendazim as seed treatment significantly reduced the wilt incidence, and increased seed germination and plant growth parameters as compared to control. Results of the study show that bio-agents significantly reduced the wilt incidence, and increased seed germination and plant growth parameters as compared to chemical fungicides.

Consumption of food crops contaminated with heavy metals is a major food chain route for human exposure. In the present study, vegetables grown in the sewage and tube well water irrigation are Raphanus sativus, Daucus carrota and Brassica rapa. Concentration of Cd, Pb and Ni was significantly higher in sewage irrigated soil at all the four depths (0-15, 15-30, 30-45 and 45-60 cm), respectively. Cadmium, Lead and Nickel concentration are higher at the surface horizons and it decreases sharply with depth in both tube well and sewage irrigated soils. Extent of heavy metal built up in sewage irrigated soils was significant in both 0-15 and 15-30 cm depth. Higher concentration of Pb, Cd and Ni, were observed in the roots of all crops grown in sewage irrigated soils compared to that of crops grown on tube well irrigated soils. Sewage water irrigation has a great potential to contaminate the soil which may lead to the accumulation of heavy metals in crop plants and may cause harmful effect on animals and plants. Results, indicate that, long term and indiscriminate application of sewage water, which contains heavy metals may cause accumulation of heavy metals in surface and sub-surface soils and the buildup of heavy metals on soil profile may prove harmful not only to plants, but also to consumers of the harvested crops.

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