Present status of Alternaria leaf blight disease of sunflower in north eastern Karnataka

Abstract

Sunflower is one of the most important edible oilseed crops in India. Among the major diseases of sunflower, Alternaria leaf blight caused by Alternaria helianthi (Hansf.) Tubaki and Nishihara is most devastating disease in Karnataka. A roving survey was conducted to assess the severity of Alternaria leaf blight during Kharif season 2018 in Raichur, Ballari, Koppal and Gulbarga districts of North Eastern Karnataka. The survey results revealed that disease severity was noticed in all locations surveyed with a range of 13.33 to 65.60 per cent. Maximum disease severity was observed in Koppal district (45.34 %) and least severity was noticed in Kalburgi district (22.43 %).