Revalidation of efficacy of Zineb 75 %WP against diseases of tomato and chilli in terms of dose, disease control and yield

Abstract

Tomatoes (Lycopersicon, esculentum) and chilies ( Capsicum annum L.) are the most widely consumed vegetables in India. In India, the production of tomatoes is around 1.65 Mt. ton from an approximated cultivated area 0.8 million ha while that of chilies is around 1.22 Mt from an approximate date cultivated area of 0.6 million ha. (Anon, 2011). Both the vegetables are rich in vitamins and minerals and are required for good human health. (Osuna- Garcia et al, 1998 Marine et al, 2004) besides being an effective component in livelihood security of farmers. Biotech constraints like early and late blight caused by Alternaria solani and Phytophthora infestans respectively in tomatoes and fruit rot (or Anthracnose/ Die back) and leaves port of chilies, caused by Colletotrichum capsici and Cercospora capsici respectively, are severe threats to those vegetate these vegetables. Dithiocarbamates are effective protections against most foliar diseases and Zineb 75 WP has a proven recorded against blinds of tomatoes. (Harrison 1961 Lockhart and Harrison 1962 Harrison and Lockhart 1963). Moreover, the broad spectrum, use an acceptance of zineb by the end users make it and unique fungicide in the management of diseases, under the changed climatic conditions where both the pathogens and the host are undergoing several alterations in the physiological pathogenicity resistance, etc. It was pertinent to revalidate, the efficacy of against Zineb 75% WP the aforementioned diseases of tomato, and chilli..