International Journal of Agriculture, Environment and Biotechnology

Citation: IJAEB: 8(1): 89-95 March 2015

DOI Number: 10.5958/2230-732X.2015.00012.1

©2015 New Delhi Publishers. All rights reserved

12

HORTICULTURE

Field evaluation of fungicides against Alternaria porri (Ellis)

Cif., causing purple blotch of onion ( Allium cepa L.)

Archana S. Rao 1 *, Girija Ganeshan 1 , Ramachandra Y.L. 2 and Chethana B.S. 3

1 Indian Institute of Horticulture Research, Division of Plant Pathology, Hesaraghatta Lake Post, 560089, Benguluru, India

2 KuvempuUniversity, Department of Biotechnology, 577451, Benguluru, Karnataka, India

3 ARS, VCFarm, 571405, Mandya, India.

*Corresponding author: sraoarchana@gmail.com

Paper No. 296

Received: 30 June 2014

Accepted: 13 October 2015

Published: 25 March 2015

ABSTRACT

Field evaluation of several fungicides including new molecules was undertaken for the management

of purple blotch disease of onion caused by Alternaria porri (Ellis) Cif. The experiments were conducted

during kharif of 2012 and 2013 using susceptible variety Arka Nikethan.Cymoxanil 8% + Mancozeb 64%

WP @ 2500 ppm and Mancozeb 70% WP @ 2500 ppm were effective in reducing the disease severity by

54.86 and 52.88 % over untreated control. However, Mancozeb 70% WP and Cymoxanil 8% + Mancozeb

64% WP recorded the maximum yield of 39.71 and 37.06 t/ha and obtained benefit cost ratio of 33.85 and

20.67. Thus these two fungicides can be recommended for the effective and economical management of

the disease.

Highlights

Mancozeb 70% WP and Cymoxanil 8% + Mancozeb 64% WP were the best fungicides for effective management

of economically important Purple blotch disease in onion.

Keywords: Non-systemic fungicides, systemicfungicides, combination products

Onion( Alliumcepa L.)is one of the five mostimportant

field conditions.Alternaria blight is one of the most

vegetable crops grown widely across the world. India

devastating disease (Marmath et al. , 2013).Purple

is a traditional grower and assumes second position

blotch of onion caused by Alternaria porri (Elllis)

in onion production with 86.34 million tonnes from

Cif.,is a major disease affecting the foliage severely

4.36 million hectares area (FAOSTAT 2013). Onion is

resulting in crop loss ranging from 30 to 100 per

cultivatedroundtheyearthroughoutthecountry.The

cent. The disease may reach epidemic states during

major onion growing states are Maharashtra (33%),

the favourable conditions of high relative humidity

Karnataka (17%), Gujarat (10%), Bihar (7%), Madhya

(80-90%) and optimum temperature (24±10C) (Yadav

Pradesh (7%), Andhra Pradesh (5%), Rajastan (3%),

et al. , 2013). In view of importance of the crop and

Haryana (3%) and others (15%) (Indian Horticulture

effect of fungal disease on yield, there is a need

Database 2011).Onion is susceptible for numerous

for the development of effective control methods.

pests and diseases throughout growing period under

Though resistant cultivars would be most effective