Survey to assess the major foliar diseases of sesame in parts of Kalyana Karnataka

Abstract

Sesame (Sesamum indicum) is an important, oldest oilseed crop of Pedaliaceae family, grown mainly in India as a source of oil. However, yields can be negatively impacted by numerous factors, including disease, particularly those caused by fungi and phytoplasma which create problem in production. Survey in Northern Karnataka during Kharif 2021 revealed disease severity in sesame crops: Alternaria leaf spot ranged from 6.53% to 53.57%, powdery mildew from 0% to 44.31%, and phyllody from 6% to 93%. Notable instances include 53.57% severity in Alternaria leaf spot at Keribosgha village, Kalaburgi district, 44.31% severity in powdery mildew at MARS, UASR in Raichur district, and 93% incidence of phyllody at MARS, UASR, Raichur district. On average, the highest disease severity was 31.21% for Alternaria leaf spot and 25.16% for powdery mildew in Kalaburgi and Raichur districts, respectively. Raichur district recorded the highest average phyllody incidence at 51.29%.