Integrated management of Sigatoka Leaf spot disease of banana (Musa spp.) using newer fungicides

Three systemic fungicides (azoxystrobin, tebuconazole and flusilazole), a contact fungicide copper hydroxide and a bio-agent Trichoderma viride, in different combinations, were evaluated in a cultivator's field under natural infection of black Sigatoka (Mycosphaerella fijiensis) disease of banana during 2012–2013. azoxystrobin (0.15 per cent) and tebuconazole (0.1 per cent) effectively reduced disease severity of black sigatoka. effect of tebuconazole was more persistent than that of azoxystrobin after three consecutive sprayings with fungicides. integrating fungicides with Trichoderma viride, was not beneficial in controlling disease severity except for tebuconazole. Bunch weight was significantly higher when the fungicide tebuconazole was applied solely (9.75kg) and by integration with Trichoderma (9.74kg). The contact fungicide copper hydroxide (0.25 per cent) did not give significant results.