MANAGEMENT OF SORESHIN DISEASE IN FCV TOBACCO NURSERIES OF KARNATAKA

Abstract

Flue-Cured Virginia (FCV) tobacco is an important commercial crop grown in Southern transitional zone as rainfed crop. Soreshin caused by Rhizoctonia solani Kuhn is an important disease of economic importance as the disease spreads faster and causes severe mortality of transplants. The disease appears in epiphytotic proportions both in conventional and tray nurseries. Effective control measures are of importance both in conventional and tray nurseries to get healthy seedlings for timely planting. Studies were conducted in replicated trials for three years to evolve a suitable fungicidal schedule. Among various fungicides tested, propiconazole 25% EC confirmed to be the best molecule effecting 93.0% control followed by carbendazim 50% WP with 86.9% control of disease. The effective control also resulted in better yield of healthy transplants. The best economical schedule identified from the study is application of propiconazole as foliar sprays @ 0.05% at 25, 35 & 45 DAS in conventional nurseries. To control the disease in tray nurseries, carbendazim @ 0.1% as drench at three intervals is found promising. Both the molecules have an advantage as they effectively control anthracnose and frog eye, the other two important foliar diseases of nurseries in Karnataka. Schedule with propiconazole @ 0.05% spray at 25,35 & 45 DAS gave an ICBR of 1:7.2 in conventional nursery and carbendazim gave an ICBR of 1:6.5 in tray nursery.