Prevalence of major carnation diseases in Kashmir and Management of leaf spot (Alternaria dianthi Stev. & Hall) of carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus L.) Qazi Nissar A.1,2,*, Ahmad Khurshid1, Bieg M. A.1, Dar Gh. Hassan1, Yousuf Vaseem1, Ganai Nadeem A.1 1Division of Plant Pathology, S.K. University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, Shalimar, Srinagar, (J&K). 2Division of Post Harvest Technology, S.K. University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, Shalimar, Srinagar, (J&K). *E-mail: shaheennissarqazi@yahoo.com
Abstract Survey conducted in carnation growing areas revealed that leaf spot and wilt were the most prevalent diseases of carnation in Kashmir. The extent of the two diseases varied from 2.1 to 26.9 and 3.7 to 14.9%, respectively, in various locations. The causal agents identified for leaf spot and wilt were Alternaria dianthi Stev. & Hall and Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. dianthi (Prill & Delacr) Syder & Hans, respectively. In field experiments, eight different fungitoxicants (3 protectant and 5 systemic), applied as foliar spray, were evaluated during 2002–2005 for effective management of Alternaria leaf spot. All the fungitoxicants tested significantly controlled the disease in comparison to check. However, fungitoxicants significantly differed in their efficacy and systemic fungitoxicants proved more effective than protectants. The mean disease intensity of 2.7 to 7.9% was recorded in test fungitoxicant treatments as against 22.0% recorded in check. Penconazole 10 EC (@ 0.05%) and hexaconazole 5 EC (@ 0.03%) were most effective and provided 88.3 and 87.5% disease control over check, respectively. In the rest fungitoxicants, mean disease control over check varied from about 64.0 to 82.2%. Mean disease control over years was observed to vary from 74.9 to 78.9%. Top Key words Alternaria dianthi, blight, carnation, fungitoxicants, Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. dianthi, leaf spot, wilt. Top |