Evaluation of fungicides and nutritional amendments against powdery mildew of pumpkin
Maryam Yousaf1, Romana Anjum1, Nadeem Ahmed4, Muhammad Ahmad Zeshan2*, Safdar Ali1, Muhammad Usman Ghani3
1Department of Plant Pathology, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan
2Department of Plant Pathology, College of Agriculture, University of Sargodha, Pakistan
3Institute of Soil and Environmental Sciences, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan
4Department of Plant Pathology, Muhammad Nawaz Sharif University of Agriculture, Multan, Pakistan
Abstract
Sphaerotheca fuliginea is the most commonly recorded fungus that cause powdery mildew of cucurbits. The outbreak of this disease occurred in Pakistan in Neelam valley. Current study was conducted to minimize significant economic losses by using different combinations of fungicides and nutritional amendments. Fungicides Bravo (Chlorothalonil) and Score (Difenoconazol) and nutrient solutions of Agsil (Potassium silicate) and Peak (mono potassium phosphate) were applied alone and in combination to manage the disease. Bravo and Score were applied @ 1.5ml/L and 2.5ml/, respectively while 0.1% solutions of both Agsila and Peak was used. Nutritional amendments were used before the onset of disease and fungicides were applied after the appearance of disease. All the treatments were randomized in three replications. The findings described the combination of fungicides was most efficient in decreasing disease incidence as it reduced the powdery mildew incidence upto 60%. In individual fungicidal applications, Bravo treated plants showed less disease incidence (36%) than Score (40%). However to avoid from the environmental hazards nutritional amendments is the safest option which gave 50% reduction in disease incidence. Agsil was more effective than Peak in individual applications and it showed 47% disease incidence that was 49% in case of Peak.
