Fusarium spp. causing dry rot of potato and their chemical management

Dry rot caused by Fusarium spp. is one of the major diseases causes significant loss in cold storage. For its management fungicides namely Ridomil Gold 68 WP, Mancozeb 75 WP, Bavistin 50 WP and Amistar screened in vitro through poisoned food technique. Bavistin 50 WP and Ridomil Gold 68 WP were found significantly effective in inhibiting the mycelial growth of pathogen. Bavistin and Ridomil Gold were tried as tuber spray and tuber dip treatments at different concentrations under in vivo conditions. Bavistin was found effective as tuber dip treatment. All the tested fungicides were also evaluated under cold storage. Bavistin was also found to be most effective in which maximum disease control was observed as 77.6 per cent and 87.1 in 5 per cent and 15 per cent infected grade tubers, respectively. The maximum effect of dry rot was observed in highly infected grade tubers (>50%). Positive correlation was found between injury and dry rot incidence under cold storage.