Effect of Tillage and Nutrient Management Practices on Bacterial Stalk Rot

Bacterial stalk rot caused by Dickeya zeae (Erwinia chrysanthemi pv. zeae) is highly destructive diseases of maize crop worldwide including India. Depending upon weather conditions it cause the significant yield reduction ranging from 21 to 98 % in maize crop. Hot and humid conditions preferred by Bacterial stalk rot. It is present in all tropical maize growing regions. Growing conditions creating hot and humid condition are most favourable for the development of the disease. Under tarai condition of Uttrakhand an experiment was carried out by integrating tillage practices likepermanent raised beds, zero tillage and conventional tillage along with different nutrient management approaches likeRDF, SSNM and Farmer’s practices for the management of maize diseases. Results of present study indicated that conventional tillage followed by permanent raised bed and zero tillage and in nutrient management SSNM followed by RDF management practices were found equally good with respect to diseases incidence but significantly higher grain yield was recorded in permanent raised beds (58.17 q/ha) which was found at par with conventional tillage (57.48 q/ha) whereas minimum yield was recorded in zero tillage (56.17 q/ha). But significantly higher hundred grain weight was recorded in conventional tillage (30.6 g) which was at par with permanent beds (30.5 g) followed by zero tillage (28.2 g).