Potential of Residual Sulfur and Zinc Nutrition in Improving Powdery Mildew (Erysiphe trifolii) Disease Tolerance of Lentil (Lens culunaris L.)

Abstract

Lentil (Lens culunaris L.) is one of the major sources of protein and the second most important legume crop of the Indo-Gangetic Plain (IGP) in India. Powdery mildew (Erysiphe trifolii) is one of the important fungal diseases of lentil that affects the entire plant and causes great reduction in yield and quality of seed. Mineral nutrition, especially with sulfur (S) and zinc (Zn), plays a great role in powdery mildew management. A research trial was conducted from 2008–2009 to 2010–2011 at ICAR Research Complex of Eastern Region, Patna, India, to ascertain the role of residual sulfur (S) and zinc (Zn) in powdery mildew management in lentil under a rice–lentil cropping system. A field experiment was conducted in randomized block design with three replications. Four levels of S and Zn were tested. Sulfur and Zn were applied directly to rice crop as basal application and the residual response of lentil was ascertained in the rice–lentil cropping system. Powdery mildew disease index was prepared and it was noticed that plots treated with 40 kg sulfur + 5 kg Zn had less powdery mildew disease index (5.5%). Significantly greater disease index (15.5%) was documented in the fields where both the nutrients were not applied. Maximum lentil seed yield (1147 kg ha−1) was recorded with 30 kg residual S, whereas minimum seed yield (1015 Kg ha−1) was noticed with no application of S in the previous crop in the cropping system.