Department of Plant Pathology, College of Agriculture, CSK Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya, Palampur-176062
National Symposium on Strategic Issues in Plant Pathological Research held at Department of Plant Pathology, CSK HP Krishi Vishvavidayalaya, Palampur on November 24–25, 2011
Growing of vegetables under protected environment is becoming popular in Himachal Pradesh taking the advantage of diverse climate and off- season. Bell pepper (Capsicum annum L) is one of the most important vegetable grown under protected cultivation. It is affected by large number of diseases causing serious losses to the crop. Powdery mildew (Leveillula taurica (Lev.) Arn.) is the most destructive and widely prevalent around the year under polyhouse conditions in the state. Therefore, in the present investigation, survey of polyhouses was conducted during 2010 and 2011. During survey it was found that powdery mildew disease severity was 0–20% in Hamirpur, 20–40% in Bilaspur, 10–20% in Kullu, 50–60% in Kangra and 5–20% in Mandi districts. An experiment on the management of powdery mildew using nine fungicides viz; Folicur (tebuconazole), Antracol (propineb), Contaf (hexaconazole), Bayleton (triadimefon), Score (difenoconazole), Karathane (dinocop), Tilt (propiconazole), Boon (myclobutanil) and lime sulphur was conducted under protected conditions at Palampur. Maximum powdery mildew control and increase in yield (88.7% and 88.2%) was obtained with Folicur followed by Score (79.0% and 49.2%), Contaf (78.1% and 40.4%) and Bayleton (75.2% and 39.1%), respectively. Being a single crop of bell pepper grown for 10–12 months under protected conditions, require the alternate application of different fungicides to avoid any chance of fungicidal resistance.
