Evaluation of fungicides against stem rot of capsicum caused by Sclerotium rolfsii Sacc

Abstract

Stem rot (Sclerotium rolfsii Sacc.) of capsicum which is also called as collar rot or southern blight is one of the serious diseases in capsicum that severely brings down the yield in all the major capsicum growing areas in Karnataka. Among the several management practices, managing the disease with fungicides is the most effective means. In the present investigation twelve fungicides that included three systemic, six combi products and three contact fungicides were evaluated against S. rolfsii in vitro. Among the fungicides, hexaconazole, difenoconazole, propiconazole, propiconazole + difenoconazole, tricyclazole + hexaconazole, hexaconazole + captan, zineb + hexaconazole and thiram were highly effective even at least concentration of 25 ppm tested and also in subsequent concentrations of 50 ppm, 100 ppm, 250 ppm, 500 ppm showing 100 per cent inhibition. Further, among the eight promising fungicides based on in vitro results, six fungicides were evaluated against stem rot of capsicum under polyhouse conditions. Among the treatments undertaken, propiconazole and difenoconazole each at 0.1 per cent were effective resulting in 97.05 per cent reduction in disease over control and can be concluded as promising fungicides against stem rot.