Effect of foliage trimming and planting time on downy mildew, leaf blight, powdery mildew and canopy micro climate in fenugreek

Abstract

The effect of foliage trimming once or twice and different time of planting was assessed on downy mildew, Alternaria leaf blight and powdery mildew disease PDI, canopy microclimate and seed and foliage yield of fenugreek crop grown during rabi season for two years. Alternaria leaf blight was not affected by date of sowing. Downy mildew PDI was comparatively more in late sown crop as compared to early and normal sowing. Whereas powdery mildew was more in early sown crop compared to late sown crop. Foliage trimming reduced the downy mildew, blight and powdery mildew PDI but the difference was not significant in blight and powdery mildew PDI. The temperature and RH data from crop canopy showed that trimming treatment reduced the RH % and slightly increased the temperature. The seed yield obtained from normal and early sown crop was higher compared to late sown crop and reduces in single and double trimming as compared to untrimmed treatment. However, the trimming treatments also yielded the green leafy vegetable.