Fungicidal management of leaf blight of gerbera (Gerbera jamesonii Hook) in Kashmir valley

Abstract

Alternaria leaf blight is an important diseases of gerbera (Gerbera jamisonii) world over. The present investigation was carried out in various locations of Kashmir valley to evolve an effective management strategy of Alternaria blight disease. Among the eight fungicides tested in vitro, chlorothalonil 75 WP, mancozeb 75 WP, fulusilazole 40 EC and fenarimol 12 EC proved significantly superior in inhibiting the mycelial growth of test fungi. Under natural epiphytotic conditions, all the four fungicides tested proved significantly superior over check in controlling the blight. Fulusilazole 40 EC @ 200 ppm with 88.28 per cent disease control was the most efficacious fungicides followed by chlorothalonil 75 WP @ 3000 ppm with 82.64 per cent disease control. The fungicides tested have not only managed the disease but also enhanced number and weight of flowers.