An Approach for Management of Late Blight in Potato

Among the several factors attributed to low productivity of potato, damage of crop due to late blight is substantially important. Prevailing farmers practices, control/check i.e. no spray along with recommended practice i.e. (Mancozeb @ 0.25% followed by application of Metalaxyl + Mancozeb @ 0.25%) were treated for comparision to control the blight disease. The results of the On Farm Trial brought out that the recommended practice of using Mancozeb @ 0.25% followed by application of Metalaxyl + Mancozeb @ 0.25% to manage late blight of potato was feasible and economically viable over farmers practice. Yield performance of recommended practice was 220q/ha which was almost 46.7% over control/check and 26.7% higher than farmers practice i.e. Mancozeb @ 0.25% which was 190q/ha. Cost benefit ratio of recommended practice (2.52) was higher over farmer's practice (2.36) and control/check (1.98). Participatory approach involving extension works and farmers in demonstration of research emanated proven technology may go a long way to curtail losses due to pest /disease incidences.