Multi-location evaluation of fungicides for managing blast (Magnaporthe grisea) disease of forage pearl millet in India

Abstract

Blast caused by Magnaporthe grisea has emerged as a major threat in recent years to forage pearl millet in India. Due to lack of resistant cultivars to blast disease, the disease can be best managed through fungicides. However, no comprehensive multi-location study in managing blast disease in forage pearl millet has been conducted in India. Therefore, field trials for two consecutive years (2019 and 2020) were conducted at four geographically different locations (Ludhiana, Palampur, Jhansi and Bhubaneswar) of India. Carbendazim, tebuconazole + trifloxystrobin, tricyclazole, chitosan and neem oil were tested for their efficacy through seed treatment alone or seed treatment followed by two foliar sprays at 15 days interval. Results showed the superiority of tebuconazole + trifloxystrobin as seed treatment followed by two foliar sprays in reducing the blast disease area under disease progress as well as rate of infection at Ludhiana, Jhansi and Palampur. Tricyclazole as seed treatment followed by two foliar sprays was found superior over others in reducing the area under disease progress curve as well as rate of infection at Bhubaneswar. Reduction in blast disease area under disease progress curve and rate of infection by applying these treatments helped in achieving a significant increase in the green fodder yield at the tested locations. Through this study, an effective strategy for location specific management of blast disease of forage pearl millet has been formulated.