Efficacy of Various Fungicides and Herbicides for the Management of Wheat Foot Rot Disease

Abstract

The present research was conducted to investigate and assess the effectiveness of fungicides and herbicides in controlling the foot rot disease caused by the fungus Sclerotium rolfsii in wheat crops. Foot rot of wheat caused by Sclerotium rolfsii Sacc. has a major constraint and potential  threat to successful wheat cultivation. Therefore affords were made to screen the different systemic, contact and combination of fungicides and herbicides in vitro condition against Sclerotium rolfsii.  Different fungicides against S. rolfsii were tested in vitro. The efficacy of two systemic fungicides (Tricyclazole 75%W.P. & Carbendazim 50% WP); two non-systemic fungicides (Mancozeb 75%WP & Copper oxychloride 50% WP); one contact fungicides Propineb 70%WP and one combo fungicides (Metalaxyl 8%+Mancozeb 64%) were evaluated at different concentrations (50,150 and 250 ppm) on the development of S. rolfsii on Potato dextrose agar (PDA) medium using poisoned food technique. Among the six fungicides, Mancozeb was found best at all the concentrations followed by Tricyclazole at higher concentrations which inhibit the growth of S. rolfsii. Another method used for management strategy was herbicide for inhibiting the mycelial growth of S. Rolfsii. In vitro efficacy of selective herbicides viz. (Metribuzin 70% WP & Oxadiargyl 80% WP), systemic herbicide viz. (Pyrazosulfuron Ethyl 10% WP & Metsulfuron Methyl 20% WP) and one combo herbicides viz. (Bensulfuron Methyl 0.6% + Pretilachlor 6% GR) were tested at their recommended concentrations. Among them metribuzin showed  80.00 % growth inhibition, succeeded by   Pyrazosulfuron ethyl (51.85%) and Bensulfuron methyl + Pretilachlor (45.92%).