1CSKHPKV Research Sub Station, Akrot
Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, CSKHPKV, 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
Chemical-based induction of systemic acquired resistance (SAR) leading to disease suppression is well known in plant pathology. Inducers of SAR also act as agents for priming. Commercial application of these chemicals for plant disease resistance under field conditions is, however, limited because of yield penalties. Our studies on application of benzothiadiazole (BTH), an inducer of SAR, on pea (Pisum sativum L.) powdery mildew caused by Erysiphe pisi demonstrated that a foliar spray of BTH mixed with a systemic fungicide hexaconazole followed by another spray of hexaconazole was as effective as three foliar sprays of hexaconazole in increasing dry grain yield over control (93.0% increase) under field conditions. Compared to yield, mixed application was less effective in mildew control (5.0% severity) than three applications of hexaconazole (2.0% severity). Single application of BTH mixed with hexaconazole was also effective as it enhanced yield considerably (79.1%) over control. The results demonstrated that mixed application of BTH and hexaconazole followed by a spray of hexaconazole is a cost-effective strategy for management of powdery mildew of peas.
