1Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology, Post-Graduate Institute, Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Rahuri, India
2Assistant Plant Pathologist, All India Coordinated Research Project on Maize, Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Rahuri, India
3Breeder, All India Coordinated Research Project on Small Millets, Zonal Agricultural Research Station, Kolhapur, Maharashtra, India
*Corresponding author: aspiranttanuja@gmail.com
Paper No. 1228
Leaf blast disease of Finger millet (Eleusine coracana), caused by Pyricularia grisea (syn. Magnaporthe grisea), remains a major constraint to crop productivity, particularly in semi-arid regions. This study was undertaken to isolate and identify the pathogen from naturally infected Finger millet leaves and to evaluate the efficacy of selected bioagents and fungicides under both laboratory and field conditions. The pathogen was isolated using the tissue segment method on Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) and identified based on characteristic morphological traits, including pyriform, hyaline, 2-septate conidia measuring 20–30 µm in length. In dual culture assays, Trichoderma harzianum exhibited significant antagonism with 85.76% mycelial inhibition, while Pseudomonas fluorescens showed 49.55% inhibition. In poisoned food technique, Tricyclazole, Hexaconazole, and Carbendazim + Mancozeb completely inhibited fungal growth (100%), while Tebuconazole + Trifloxystrobin and Azoxystrobin recorded 85.04% and 45.07% inhibition, respectively. In field conditions, Tricyclazole (T2) was most effective, reducing disease intensity to 19.38% (7 days after second spray), with 54.74% disease reduction over control. This was closely followed by Carbendazim + Mancozeb (T1) with 53.42% disease reduction. Yield data reflected these trends, with Tricyclazole and Carbendazim + Mancozeb increasing grain yield to 20.83 q/ha and 20.00 q/ ha, corresponding to 56.26% and 50.03% gain over untreated control, respectively. Among bioagents, T. harzianum outperformed P. fluorescens in both disease suppression and yield improvement. These findings validate the synergistic role of chemical and biological interventions in managing Finger millet leaf blast and advocate for further multilocation trials to develop integrated disease management strategies.
⓿ Pyricularia grisea was successfully isolated and morphologically confirmed from blast-affected finger millet leaves.
⓿ Trichoderma harzianum showed strong antagonism (85.76% inhibition) in vitro.
⓿ Tricyclazole, Hexaconazole, and Carbendazim + Mancozeb completely inhibited pathogen growth in vitro.
⓿ Under field conditions, Tricyclazole provided the highest disease reduction (54.74%) and maximum yield (20.83 q/ha).
⓿ Integrated use of bioagents and fungicides improved disease suppression and enhanced grain yield.
Eleusine coracana, Blast disease, Pyricularia grisea, In vitro evaluation, Disease intensity, Integrated disease management
