SOME EXPERIMENTS ON THE FUNGICIDAL CONTROL OF LEAF DISEASES OF Sorghum

Abstract

Sorghum is subject to leaf diseases incited by Cercospora sorghi E. & E. and Bipolaris turcicum (Pass) Shoemaker. The yield of grain and quality of straw is often adversely affected. Field experiments to control the diseases were conducted in 1961 and 1962 using Co. 1 (rainfed) and Co. 18 (irrigated) varieties of Sorghum respectively. The fungicides used in the first experiment were Dithane Z. 78, Flit 406, Sulphur dust, Ferbam, Ziram, Microcop, Colloidal copper, Wettable sulphur, Dithane D. 14. Bordeaux mixture and Copper oxychloride. The above treatments were applied thrice at monthly intervals. In the subsequent year Bordeaux mixture, Copper oxychloride, Flit 406, Dithane Z. 78 and Dithane M 22 were applied at weekly and fortnightly intervals. The weekly sprayed plots received 7 sprayings in all while the fortnightly sprayed plots received 4 sprayings.