Management of wilt disease in cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) using IDM modules
Abstract
Wilt caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cucumerinum is a serious soil-borne disease of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) that causes major yield losses, particularly under continuous cultivation. A survey conducted in the Coimbatore region during 2024–2025 revealed wide variation in wilt incidence across locations, ranging from 4.70 to 80.13%. Four integrated disease management (IDM) modules were evaluated under field conditions during 2025 and 2026. Among them, Module 2, comprising soil application and seed treatment with a Trichoderma asperellum + Bacillus subtilis consortium and soil drenching with B. subtilis along with clove oil EC formulation (0.1%), recorded the lowest wilt incidence and the highest yield in both years. In 2025, Module 2 recorded 7.72% wilt incidence at 75 days after sowing (DAS), a yield of 9.00 t/ha and a B:C ratio of 2.92; and in 2026 the corresponding values were 15.40%, 9.32 t/ha and 2.95. Pooled analysis confirmed Module 2 as the best treatment (11.60% wilt incidence, 9.20 t/ha yield and B:C ratio of 2.90) compared with 47.30% wilt incidence and 5.90 t/ha yield in the untreated control. The study showed that a bio-intensive IDM module can manage cucumber wilt effectively under field conditions and is an eco-friendlier alternative to sole dependence on chemicals.
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Introduction
Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) is an important vegetable crop cultivated widely for its economic and nutritional value, but its productivity is constrained by several fungal, bacterial, and viral diseases (Brar et al., 2025; Yang et al., 2024; Ta et al., 2024; Daunde et al., 2020). Among these, wilt disease is one of the most destructive problems in cucumber production and is commonly associated with Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cucumerinum, although other Fusarium species can also be involved in some production systems (Brar et al., 2025; Din et al., 2020). The pathogen is soil-borne, spreads through infested soil and water, infects plants at different growth stages, colonizes vascular tissues and produces symptoms such as damping-off, yellowing of older leaves, vascular browning, wilting and eventual plant death (Din et al., 2020; Sharma & Shukla, 2021).
Wilt incidence can be severe under continuous cropping and favorable environmental conditions, with reported yield losses commonly ranging from 10% to 70% and reaching 80% or more in severe infestations (Sharma & Shukla, 2021; Zhu et al., 2024; Yang et al., 2024; Luo et al., 2026). The persistence of chlamydospores in soil for many years and the imbalance of rhizosphere microbial communities contribute to recurring outbreaks and make management difficult (Haridasan & Sajeena, 2025; Yang et al., 2024; Yu et al., 2024). Conventional control measures such as fungicides, crop rotation, resistant rootstocks, and grafting provide partial relief, but their performance is often limited by environmental concerns, resistance development, unstable host resistance, cost, or operational difficulty (Haridasan & Sajeena, 2025; Brar et al., 2025; Yang et al., 2024; Yu et al., 2024).
For these reasons, integrated disease management has emerged as a more durable strategy for soil-borne diseases because it combines complementary approaches rather than relying on a single tactic (Haridasan & Sajeena, 2025; Mahmood et al., 2023; Daunde et al., 2020). Biological control agents such as Trichoderma, Bacillus, Pseudomonas, and Streptomyces suppress Fusarium through antagonism, rhizosphere colonization, nutrient competition, and induction of plant defense responses (Wang et al., 2021; Zhu et al., 2024). Several studies have shown that combined microbial treatments reduce wilt incidence more effectively than single agents and also improve plant growth and yield (Singh & Balodi, 2021; Wang et al., 2021; Waris et al., 2025; Ta et al., 2024).
Botanicals and other eco-compatible inputs can further strengthen disease suppression within IDM systems. Neem-based products, clove oil formulations, silicon, salicylic acid, and other natural or low-risk compounds have been reported to reduce disease severity or enhance host resistance while lowering sole dependence on conventional chemicals (Dey et al., 2025; Yu et al., 2024; Sun et al., 2022; Hussein, 2016). Recent evidence also indicates that integrated modules can improve soil biological activity, microbial balance, and plant physiological resilience in addition to disease control (Luo et al., 2026; Yang et al., 2024; Sun et al., 2022; Tang et al., 2020).
Under these conditions, location-specific evaluation of IDM modules is necessary before recommendation to farmers. The present study was therefore undertaken to survey the occurrence of wilt disease in cucumber-growing areas of Coimbatore and to evaluate different IDM modules for suppressing wilt incidence and improving yield and benefit-cost ratio under field conditions.
Conclusion
The study indicates that IDM Module 2 was the most effective option for managing cucumber wilt under the tested field conditions, as it minimized wilt incidence and maximized yield and economic return across both years.
Taken together with the wider literature, the results support a bio-intensive IDM strategy built around Bacillus- and Trichoderma-based consortia, supported by compatible cultural or botanical inputs, as a more sustainable alternative to sole chemical management. Module 2, comprising microbial consortia-based seed, soil, and drench applications, can be recommended as an effective and eco-friendlier IDM module for wilt management in cucumber under Coimbatore conditions.
References
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