Integrated disease management to control gall rust disease on the seedling and sapling of Falcataria moluccana

Abstract

Several control methods have been developed to control the disease caused by Uromycladium falcatariae. However, it is still used a single approach that may not receive satisfactory results. This study applied integrated disease management that consisted of physical, chemical, and biological approaches to reduce gall rust disease incidence. In the nursery, the control methods used were selecting nursery location, applying the biological agent Trichoderma sp, and regular spraying with fungicides. Meanwhile, after planting, the control methods used were regularly spraying with fungicides, pruning the infected tissues, and fertilizer application. Three active ingredients were used for fungicide application: tebuconazole, a mixture of azoxystrobin and difenoconazole, and tribasic copper sulfate. The result showed no gall rust disease incidence in the seedling until it was ready for planting (4 months old). In addition, the application also gave positive results on seedling growth performance compared to the control. After planting, the incidence of gall rust disease can be reduced between 16.5-32.5% when the saplings were three months old and 14.3-26.3% when the saplings were ten months old. Fungicide with the active ingredient, a mixture of azoxystrobin and difenoconazole, showed more effective protection against gall rust disease infection compared to other active ingredients.