Integrated Management of Alternaria Leaf Spot of Cauliflower Caused by Alternaria brassicae (Berk.) Sacc.

Alternaria leaf spot caused by Alternaria brassicae (Berk.) Sacc. is one of the most destructive diseases of the cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis) vegetable crop, causing qualitative as well as quantitative losses. The pathogen/disease is very difficult to manage alone with fungicides. Therefore, the present investigation attempted to manage Alternaria leaf spot disease with the integration of effective fungicides, botanicals and bioagents. Results revealed that all the treatments significantly reduced the leaf spot incidence and intensity, over untreated control. Amongst all the treatments significantly least average disease incidence was recorded with the treatment Hexaconazole 5 EC (16.12%), followed by Propiconazole 25 EC (18.75%) and Carbendazim 25% + Mancozeb 50% WS (21.16%). Rest of the treatments recorded average disease incidence in the range of 23.00% (Mancozeb 75 WP) to 38.00% (A. indica) as against 45.75% in untreated control. Similarly, significantly least average disease intensity was recorded with the treatment Hexaconazole 5 EC (7.38%), followed by Propiconazole 25 EC (9.07%) and Carbendazim 25% + Mancozeb 50% WS (11.31%). Rest of the treatments recorded average disease intensity in the range of 13.00% (Mancozeb 75 WP) to 25.77% (A. indica) as against 36.37 per cent in untreated control. All the treatments significantly reduced both incidence and intensity of the disease over untreated control.