Management of spot blotch of wheat using Fungicides, Bio-agents and Botanicals

Experiments were conducted to know the effect of recommended dose of fungicides (Propiconazole, Carbendazim and Hexaconazole), bio-agents and botanicals on incidence and severity of spot blotch disease and seed yield of wheat. Two sprays of Carbendazim at 0.1% at tillering and boot leaf stage resulted in the maximum reduction in spot blotch incidence and severity followed by two applications of Propiconazole at tillering and boot leaf stage. Propiconazole was also found to be quite effective in reducing the level of disease and enhancing crop yield followed by Carbendazim and Hexaconazole. However, Carbendazim, Propiconazole and Hexaconazole were almost equally effective against spot blotch of wheat and may be used as an alternative to each other for management of disease. Two applications of Carbendazim at tillering and boot leaf stages resulted in highest grain yield. Out of the two bio-agents tested against spot blotch of wheat under field conditions, Pseudomonas fluorescence followed by Trichoderma harzianum resulted in the highest reduction in disease incidence. However, both of these bio-agents were comparatively less effective in minimizing the disease as compared to chemical fungicides. Out of four plant extracts two applications of aqueous Eucalyptus leaf extract at tillering and boot leaf stage resulted in the highest wheat yield as compared to other botanical extracts.   Key words: Fungicides, bio-agents, Pseudomonas fluorescence, botanicals, Bipolaris sorokiniana, spot blotch, Triticum aestivum.