Management of Frog Eye Leaf Spot (Cercospora nicotianae Ellis & Everh) in flue cured Virginia tobacco

Abstract

Management of frog eye leaf spot of tobacco was attempted consecutively for two seasons under natural field epiphytotic conditions. Four fungicides viz., Azoxystrobin 23% SC @ 0.1%, Propiconazole 25% EC @ 0.1%, Kresoxim methyl 44.3% SC @ 0.1%, Pyraclostrobin + Metiram 60% WG @ 0.2% alongwith Carbendazim 50% WP @ 0.05% were evaluated for their effectiveness in controlling frog eye leaf spot of tobacco. Fungicides were tested in vitro by poisoned food technique for their efficacy to inhibit mycelial growth of the pathogen and were found inhibitory to the fungus with varied degree of inhibition. Under field conditions, application of all the fungicides twice resulted in lower disease severity and higher grade index than untreated check plots. Pyraclostrabin + Metiram 60% WG @ 0.2% alongwith Carbendazim 50% WP @ 0.05% were most effective for the management of the disease in FCV tobacco.