Effect of Plant Population Density and Sowing Methods on Stem Rot of Jute (Corchorusolitorius, C. capsularis) Caused by Macrophominaphaseolina (Tassi) Goid.

Abstract

In order to find out optimum plant density with better sowing method to lower the jute stem rot, incited by Macrophomonaphaseolina causing high plant mortality, a field experiment was carried out in at CRIJAF main farm at Barrackpore in India with two sowing methods, namely, broadcast and line sowing and varied plant population density (3–10 lakhs/ha) of jute. With increasing plant population density the incidence of stem rot increased reaching peak of 16.3 and 27.4% in highest plant population density of 10 lakh per ha, respectively, in broadcast and line sown crop. Lowest stem rot of 5.4 and 7.4% was observed in line sown and broadcast crops with very low population density of 3 lakh per ha. Under optimum plant population level of 5–6 lakh per ha stem rot incidence was moderate with 7 – 9% in line sown and 10- 17% in broadcast crops. With similar level of plant population, jute stem rot was always low in line sown crops than their counter part in broadcast crops. Progress of jute stem rot over the crop growth period in line sown crop with low plant density (3 lakhs /ha) the disease increased from initial low level of 0.2% at 30 DAS to 3.7% at 90 DAS and finally to 5.4% at 120 DAS. But at 5-6 lakhs /ha the disease increased from initial low level of 0.1% at 30 DAS to 3-4% at 75 DAS, 4-6% at 90 DAS and finally reached to 7-9% at 120 DAS. In broadcast crop with highest plant density of 10 lakhs /ha, the jute stem rot began with 0.7% at 30 DAS, increased to 5, 15, 20% at 60, 75, 90 DAS, respectively, and finally reached a peak of 27.4% at the harvest stage of the crop at 120 DAS.