Evaluation of Castor Bean Varieties and Fungicides Application to Control Rust (<i>Melampsoraricini</i>) Disease

Abstract

Castor bean (Ricinus communis L.) cultivation is affected by different abiotic and biotic factor constraints. Among the biotic factors rust caused by <i>Melampsoraricini</i> attack castor at young to old stage cause drying of leaves. It caused 60% of disease incidence and 30% of severity at Wondo Genet agricultural research center. The present study was undertaken to determine the efficacy of different fungicides with Castor bean varieties under field condition for the management of rust disease. Two registered varieties (Abaro and Hiruy), three registered fungicides (propiconazol 25%) (Atracole 32 SC), tebuconazole (Tilt 250 EC), triadimefon (Diprocon) and two controls with no spray treatments were used. The treatments were arranged in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. The fungicides were sprayed at the recommended rate on the diseased plants at 15day interval for five rounds. Data was recorded on disease severity, disease incidence, plant height, branch number and seed yield (kg)/ha). Among the treatments, Hiruy variety treated with Diprocon (DC=87.6%) was effective fungicides against castor rust disease control whereas, Abaro variety treated with Tilt (DC=60.1%) and Altracole (DC=60.1%) significantly controlled the rust disease under field condition. Thus, the susceptible variety with different fungicides and plant extracts should be studied further for integrated management of castor bean rust.