Field evaluation of an Integrated disease management for sustainable suppression of pearl millet downy mildew caused by Sclerospora graminicola

Abstract

Pearl millet downy mildew, caused by Sclerospora graminicola, is one of the most destructive diseases limiting pearl millet productivity in India. The disease causes severe yield losses under favourable conditions, necessitating the identification of effective, eco-friendly management strategies. Hence, the present study aimed to evaluate various chemical, biological, and organic treatments under field conditions for sustainable management of the disease. The study was conducted in field conditions for two growing seasons, during Kharif 2019-20 and 2020-21 at the National Agriculture Research Project, Aurangabad, Maharashtra (India), to evaluate chemicals, organic amendments, bio-control agents, and plant extracts under field conditions against pearl millet downy mildew caused by Sclerospora graminicola. In the study, disease incidence (DI) and severity (DS) were recorded at 30 and 60 days after sowing, along with grain yield. The two years pooled mean revealed that the foliar application of Trifloxystrobin 50 % WG @ 1ml/L was most effective at 30 DAS in respect of reducing DI and DS (1.66 % and 0.57 %) which was at par with Azoxystrobin 23 % SC @ 2ml/L (1.99 % and 0.73 %) compared to untreated control (7.00% and 3.96%) respectively, while DI and DS was (0.00 % each) compared to untreated control (8.83 % and 6.48 %) at 60 DAS respectively. The same fungicides were found to be superior in terms of yield and economics compared with the control.