Management of Leaf Blight and Node Blight Diseases Indian Barnyard Millet (Echinochloa frumentacea (Roxb)
M. Paramasivan
Regional Research Station, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Vridhachalam, Cuddalore, Tamil Nadu, India.
M. Deivamani *
ICAR-Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Papparapatty, Dharmapuri, Tamil Nadu, India.
S. Thangeswari
Department of Plant Pathology, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India.
R. Ramjegathesh
National Pulses Research Centre, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Pudhukottai, Tamil Nadu, India.
A. Thangam
Government Arts and Science College for Women, MU, Alankulam, Tenkasi, Tamil Nadu, India.
M. Senthilkumar
Horticultural Research Station, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Yercaud, Salem, Tamil Nadu, India.
S. Malathi
TNAU Information and Training Centre, Tamil Nadu, India.
V.K. Satya
Horticulture College and Research Institute for Women, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Tiruchirapalli, Tamil Nadu, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
A study on the management of important diseases of rainfed kuthiraivali was carried out through biological control and fungicides in combination with seed treatment and foliar application methods and different intervals of diseases incidence. The leaf blight pathogen was isolated from the affected leaf; the isolated fungus's dark grayish-colored, fluffy mycelia were observed on the PDA medium. The mycelium was grey to olivaceous green, profusely branched, and septate. Conidiophores were single or in small groups, straight to flexuous, septate, smooth, and dark brown. Measuring 3.5 µm x 0.865 µm (1 µm), The disease incidence was observed at 15-day intervals using the percent disease index. Among three years, the seed treatment (10gm/kg) of Pseudomonas fluorescens (TNAU Pf1) followed by foliar application of Carbendazim + Mancozeb 2 gm/lit decreases the leaf blight diseases (63.63% reduction over control) and also recorded an increased yield of 1075 kg/ha of kuthiraivali. Seed treatment with Pseudomonas fluorescens Pf1 combined with foliar fungicide sprays significantly enhances yield and cost-benefit ratio under rainfed conditions while effectively managing seed-borne and foliar diseases.
Keywords: Leaf blight, seed treatment, foliar fungicide, Pseudomonas fluorescens