Effect of organic manures and Pseudomonas fluorescens on early blight of Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.)

The treatments comprised of soil treatment with organic manures and foliar spray (thrice) of Pseudomonas fluorescens. Soil treatment with neem cake, cow dung and poultry manure in combination along with 3 foliar spray (FS) of P. fluorescens isolate-2 (Pfk-2) was most effective against early blight of potato showing maximum plant height at 30, 65 and 90 DAS (25.77cm, 45.43cm & 54.17cm) and minimum disease intensity at 50, 60, 75 and 90 DAS (12.5%, 15.4%, 20.23% & 23.0%) and producing heighest yield (296.83 q/ha) followed by application of neem cake, FYM and FS of P. fluorescens showing maximum plant height (21.67cm, 42.63cm & 52.07cm) minimum disease intensity (16.0%, 19.5%, 24.8% & 27.5%) and yield (274.73 q/ha), respectively. It was observed that soil treatment with neem cake, cow dung and poultry manure in combination along with 3 foliar spray of P. fluorescens was significantly superior as compared to other treatments. Thus, soil application of organic manure in combination along with foliar spray of P. fluorescens can become a part in integrated management of early blight of potato.