CSKHPKV, Hill Agricultural Research and Extension Centre, Bajaura – 175 125
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
One of the main deterrents to high grain yield in maize is its susceptibility to several diseases. Banded leaf and Sheath blight (BLSB) caused by Rhizoctonia solani. (f. sp. sasakii) has become a serious threat to its cultivation in Himachal Pradesh. The disease can cause losses up to the tune of 23.0 – 40.0%. Chemical control through spray is more expensive and less environment friendly. Therefore, present studies were carried out to evaluate some seed dressing fungicides for the management of Banded leaf and sheath blight. A replicated field trial was conducted during Kharif 2007 and 2008 by using maize variety Early Composite and three seed dressing fungicides applied before sowing viz. Bavistin (2.5 gm/kg of seed), Vitavax Power(2.5 gm/kg of seed) and Thiram(2.5 gm/kg of seed) with four replications. Data were recorded on seed germination and on the lodging and BLSB disease were recorded two weeks after flowering by following 1–5 disease The results revealed that all the fungicides improved the sed germination, reduced lodging and Banded leaf and sheath blight along with significant increase in grain yield as compared to control (no seed treatment). Bavistin were found highly effective with 48.7% disease control and highest yield of 64.7q/ha over control
