Fungicidal Management of Leaf Blast Disease in Rice

Evaluation of various fungicides against leaf blast of rice was carried out at Agricultural Research Station, Bavikere, Tarikere (Tq), Chikkmangalore (Dist.), Karnataka during kharif 2010 and 2011 season. A highly susceptible rice variety TO-39 was planted in Randomized Complete Block Design and the application of various fungicides viz Dithane Z -78 75 WP (0.2 %),Carbendazim(0.1%), Propiconazole 25 % EC (0.1 %), Mancozeb 75 % WP (0.2 %), Wettable Sulphur (0.3 %), Thiophanate methyl 70 WP(0.1 %), Tricyclazole (0.06 %), Benomy1(0.2%), Ediphenphos(0.1 %) and Kitazine (0.1 %) were given thrice at weekly interval. All the fungicides proved to be affective in the management of rice blast disease. Out of ten fungicides tested, Tricyclazole, Kitazine and Ediphenphos were found significantly superior in controlling the disease with the lowest PDI (16.01,18.01 and 18.52 respectively), also significant increase in yield in Tricyclazole sprayed plots( 7783.33 kg/ha.) followed by Ediphenphos (6941.66kg/ha.), Kitazine(6850.00 kg/ha.) and other fungicides. The B:C ratio was also found higher in Tricyclazole (1:2.64), Ediphenphos (1:2.39) and Kitazine (1:2.31) sprayed plots compared to other fungicides and untreated control plots over two years. It is thus concluded that the fungicide Tricyclazole or Ediphenphos or Kitazine should be sprayed thrice at weekly interval for the management of leaf blast disease in rice.