Management of alternaria Burnsii Causing Blight of Cumin

Cumin is an important seed spice crop of India. Alternaria blight is one of the most important limiting factors for production of cumin. The studies were conducted on the management of Alternaria blight of cumin in Rajasthan. On the basis of in vitro studies, the isolates exhibited variable sensitivity to fungicides. Mancozeb completely inhibited the mycelial growth of the isolate Ab03, while the other isolates were less sensitive to mancozeb. Tebuconazole completely inhibited the mycelial growth of all the five isolates of A. burnsii, followed by azoxystorbin, carbendazim and mancozeb. Neem formulations Azadirachtin was also found effective in vitro. Under pot culture, combination of tebuconazole and Azadirachtin was found most effective when applied as mixed foliar spray. The application of fungicide and botanical resulted in significantly greater disease control, over their individual applications as well as over untreated control