Integrated Evaluation of New Fungicides and Bioagents for the Management of Banded Leaf and Sheath Blight of Maize

Biocontrol agents along with fungicides were evacuated in field condition to assess the most appropriate management strategy for management of banded leaf and sheath blight of maize caused by Rhizoctonia solani f. sp. sasakii. Two biocontrol agents and four fungicides viz., T. harzianum, Pseudomonas fluorescens, Carboxin 36.5% + Thiram 36.5% DS, Tebuconazole 50WG, Mencozeb 50% + Carbendazim 25% WS and Carbendazim 50 WP respectively were used as seed treatments and three new strobilurins fungicide such as Kresoxim-methyl 44.3 SC, Pyraclostrobin 23.6 EC and Pyraclostrobin 5 + Metiram 55 WG were used for twice foliar spray at 30 and 45 days after sowing. Seed treatment with P. fluorescens found effective against R. solani f.sp. sasakii with enhanced maize grain yield, fodder yield and 100 seed weight, followed by Carboxin 36.5% + Thiram 36.5% DS and Carbendazim 50 WP @ 2.5 g/ kg of seed (41.2%). All three strobilurins fungicides were found effective against R. solani f. sp. sasakii, where as Kresoxim-methyl found most effective as for foliar spray. Seed treatment with P. fluorescens @ 10 g/kg of seed followed by two spray of Kresoxim-methyl 44.3 SC found best management strategy against R. solani f.sp. sasakii which selected in enhanced maize grain yield, fodder yield and 100 seed weight followed by seed treatment with P. fluorescens @ 10 g/kg of seed and two foliar spray of Pyraclostrobin 23.6 EC.