Effect of Bacterial Blight Infection at Different Stages of Crop Growth on Intensity and Seed Cotton Yield Under Rainfed Conditions

Studies were conducted to assess the losses in seed cotton yield due to bacterial blight (Xanthomonas campestris pv. malvacearum) by infesting the seed and inoculating the crop at seedling, squaring, flowering and boll development stages of the susceptible cultivar L 147 (Gossypium hirsutum L.) and hybrid H 4 (intrahirsutum) under rainfed conditions. The highest disease intensity of 56.4 and 53.2% resulted in maximum losses of 25.08 and 23.68% in L 147 and H 4, respectively when infested seeds were sown and the resultant crop was subsequently inoculated at different crop growth stages. However, the minimum loss of 1.80 and 1.64% was observed with the lowest disease intensity of 11.62 and 10.22% in L 147 and H 4, respectively when the crop was infected at boll development stage.