Combating bean anthracnose through integrated disease management

Anthracnose caused by Colletotrichum lindemuthianum is a devastating disease of common beans in North Western Himalayas. Efficacy of 6 fungicides, 7 bioagents and 4 botanicals was evaluated under in vitro conditions against C. lindemuthianum. Of which, the most effective chemicals, bioagents and botanicals were evaluated further under in vivo conditions. Fungicides viz., Nativo, Folicur, and SAAF; aqueous extracts of botanical i.e. Melia azedarach and bioagent Trichoderma harzianum were found to be effective against the C. lindemuthianum. Seed treatment with carbendazim @ 2.5g/kg followed by two foliar sprays of trifloxystrobin 25 per cent + tebuconazole 50 per cent (Nativo) @ lg/litre water and T. harzianum @ 10g/litre water at 45^th and 60^th day after sowing were highly effective under field experiments resulted in lower disease severity and higher seed yield.