Studies on Epidemiology of Erysiphe polygoni Causing Powdery Mildew of Fenugreek

Fenugreek (Trigonella foenumgraecum L.) locally called as "Methi" belong to family Fabaceae is an ancient and well known spice vegetable crop of India. India is the largest producer of fenugreek in the world. In India fenugreek is mostly grown in states like Rajasthan, Gujarat, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh etc. Powdery mildew of fenugreek caused by Erysiphe polygoni DC is an important and serious disease especially during flowering and pod formation stage of the crop and cause significant losses in grain quantity as well as quality. In epidemiological studies, the disease appearance was found (52 DAS) of fenugreek during rabi season. The powdery mildew disease of fenugreek is high to moderately occurring in Navsari district throughout year. The infection on leaf produce huge quantity of inoculum in the presence of heavy load of inoculum, the pathogen attacked on all surface of the leaves includes upper, middle and lower respectively. The weather during the period between 3th to 6th SMW during rabi season play crucial role for development of the powdery mildew. The maximum and minimum temperature for maximization of powery mildew severity on fenugreek leaves were 27.6°C to 35.1°C under field condition minimum temperature was found significantly positive correlation to powdery mildew.