In-vitro evaluation of fungicides at different concentrations against Alternaria solani causing early blight of potato

Abstract

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is an eminent cash crop and also an important part human diet in India. It forms a major source of carbohydrate that is taken in the form of vegetables and almost the cooked in meals of every Indian household. The potential production of potato is mainly constricted by Early blight disease caused by the fungal phytopathogen Alternaria solani. This disease is almost prevalent in all parts of our country, and the farmers indiscriminately use the fungicides for its management. The injudicious use of fungicides brings down the profit of farmers along with causing environmental pollution. An experiment was carried out to find the potency of five fungicides of varied chemistry at different concentrations against the mycelial growth of Alternaria solani under in-vitro condition. It was found that Propiconazole 25EC and Carbendazim 50WP completely inhibit the mycelial growth at 250ppm. Thus, it was concluded that these two fungicides could be used in field conditions for the management of early blight at the same concentration in a sequential manner to avoid environmental pollution and resistance development in the phytopathogen along with increasing the profit of the farmers.