Management of Sclerotinia rot of Indian mustard through fungicides

Abstract

Indian mustard (Brassica juncea L.) is an important oilseed crop and attack of diseases and pests is the most important factor causing yield instability in the crop. Stem rot (Sclerotinia sclerotiorum) of Indian mustard is considered to be an economically important yield reducing disease in recent years. Therefore, the present investigations were carried out with the objective to test seven fungicides under in vitro (by poisoned food technique) and in vivo conditions. Carbendazim and carbendazim 12 % + mancozeb 63 % WP inhibited completely the mycelial growth of S. sclerotiorum at all concentrations (50,100 and 150 ppm) followed by captan 70% + hexaconazole 5 % WP with inhibition of 94, 100 and 100 % at 50, 100 and 150 ppm respectively. In vivo efficacy of six fungicides tested by applying as seed treatment, foliar application (30 DAS) and seed-cum-foliar application against sclerotinia rot of Indian mustard under soil inoculation pot house conditions with cultivar Varuna (T-59). Carbendazim was found most effective in reducing the disease intensity followed by carbendazim 12 % + mancozeb 63 % WP.