Forage and Millet Section Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics,Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana-141 004
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
Oats (Avena sativum) is one major cereal fodder crops grown during rabi season and leaf blight (Helminthiosporium avenae) disease is the major hindrance in the cultivation of fodder oats as quality of the crop is affected. Six varieties of fodder oats viz. Kent, OL 9, PLP 1, OL 125 and OS 6 were used to study the effect of leaf blight on quality of oats. comparative account of disease parameters in unprotected and protected (hexaconazole/propiconazole @ 0.05% sprays at 15 day interval) crop showed high leaf blight severity ranged from 9.99 to 13.70 per cent in plots sprayed with propiconazole over untreated plots. Yield (q/ha) was more in sprayed plots as compared to unsprayed plots. Crude protein was more whereas crude fiber was less in sprayed plants. Crude protein was maximum in variety Kent and OL 9 (9.68 and 9.47) and crude fiber was less in varieties OL 9 (24.3), PLP 1 and OL 125 (26.4) respectively. Similarly NDF (neutral detergent fiber) was more in sprayed plots having healthy plants and varieties having maximum NDF were OSS 6 (53.6), Kent (53.4) and OL 9 (53.3) whereas ADF (Acid detergent fiber) was less as compared to unsprayed plants and varieties OL 125 (34.3), PLP 1 (36.5) had minimum ADF. Chlorophyll content also varied in diseased and healthy plants. Total chlorophyll was more in healthy plants and was less in diseased plants. Varietal variation was also observed in chlorophyll content.
