Integrated Management of Early Blight of Potato in Eastern Uttar Pradesh

Early blight, caused by Aiternaria solani, is a major foliar disease of potato, severely affecting yield and quality. Afield trial was conducted during 2024–25 at ANDUAT Kumarganj, Ayodhya to evaluate the effectiveness of chemical fungicides, biocontrol agents (Trichoderma harzianum, Pseudomonas fluorescens) and botanical extracts (Tulsi, Neem seed kernel) against early blight in Eastern Uttar Pradesh conditions. The results revealed that chlorothalonil 75% WP @ 0.2% (T₃) was found most effective in minimizing disease incidence (14.3%), disease intensity (6.7%) at 75 DAS and reduced disease up to 58.3 and 72.2%, respectively, over control, with the highest tuber yield (323.33 q ha^-1), followed by the combination of mancozeb and hexaconazole (299.72 q ha^-1). Biological treatments showed moderate efficacy, while botanical treatments were lesser effective. The study highlights the potential of integrating fungicides, bioagents and botanicals, for sustainable and practical solution for management of early blight of potato in Eastern Uttar Pradesh of India.