EFFECTIVENESS OF DIFFERENT FUNGICIDES AGAINST PREDOMINANT AND VIRULENT FUNGUS FUSARIUM NIVALE THE CAUSE OF MANGO MALFORMATION DISEASE

Abstract

Fusarium nivale (Fr.) Ces. a recently reported fungus of mango malformation disease (MMD)is a predominant and virulent fungus in mango orchards of Sindh, Pakistan. In the current study in vitro and in vivo attempts were made with commercial fungicides to reduce the severity of F. nivale. Mycelial growth of F. nivale was significantly inhibited at low and high doses of Thiophanate methyl and Fosetyl- Aluminium. Metalaxyl+Mancozeb and Mancozeb also reduced growth of fungus at their high doses (6.830 and 11.900mm), respectively, as compared to Copper oxychloride (18.083 mm) and control (40.750 mm). Thiophanate methyl and Fosetyl- Aluminium significantly reduced infection in Desi, Almas and Dusheri to 16.60 and 19.00%; 17.60 and 19.80%; and 20.60 and 22.00% after first spray, with decreased percent of malformation 72.33 and 68.33%; 71.11 and 67.54%; and 67.81 and 65.62% and over untreated control. The second spray of Thiophanate methyl and Fosetyl- Aluminium fungicides completely inhibited infection of F. nivale, and 100.0% reduction in malformation disease in Desi, Almas, and Dusheri as compared to Metalaxyl+Mancozeb (78.73, 73.84, 72.64%) and Mancozeb (73.65, 73.69, 69.41%), Copper oxychloride and in control. The application of Thiophanate methyl and Fosetyl- Aluminium would be useful in integrated management of MMD.