Field Evaluation of Fungicides for the Management of Banded Leaf and Sheath Blight of Maize and Their Effect on Yield Parameters

Abstract

Background: Maize is gaining importance among cereal crops as it is a good source of nutrition and phytochemical compounds. Among various pathogens attacking maize, banded leaf and sheath blight (BLSB) caused by Rhizoctonia solani f.sp sasakii is a very serious impediment for quality maize production. All the plant parts got infected with this disease under severe conditions. When this fungus completes its life cycle, it produces sclerotia on different plant parts which serve as inoculum for disease development in the upcoming season. Methods: Keeping in view the economic value of the crop, occurrence and losses caused by this disease worldwide, the experiment on disease management was conducted to evaluate different fungicides under field conditions at Regional Research Station Uchani, Karnal of CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar. The effects on yield parameters were also recorded. Result: Results showed that all five fungicides were effective in controlling this disease and increasing yield as compared to the untreated checks. Azoxystrobin @ 0.1% foliar sprays twice at 30 and 45 DAS was found most effective in reducing the disease upto 73.54 per cent and increasing the grain yield (64.06 q/ha) by 77.30 per cent as compared to untreated control.