Field efficacy of fungicides against Alternaria blight of safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.)

The efficacy of different fungicides against Alternaria leaf blight of safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) was studied during rabi seasons of 2007–08 to 2009–10 at All India Coordinated Research Project on Safflower, Solapur. The pooled results indicated that the treatment of Carbendazim 12% + Mancozeb 63% 75 WP @ 0.2 per cent spray was found to be the most effective, with significantly lowest disease intensity (26.17%) and highest seed yield (1036 kg/ha). It was superior to Mancozeb 0.25 per cent spray, which recorded the disease intensity of 42.22% and seed yield of 879 kg/ha. For effective and economical management of Alternaria blight of safflower, first spray of, Carbendazim 12% + Mancozeb 63% 75 WP 0.2% should be given immediately after disease appearance, followed by need-based second spray under congenial climatic conditions.