Integrated management of Cercospora leaf spot and powdery mildew of sesame

Foliar diseases are the most destructive disease on Sesame. Among the foliar diseases Cercospora leaf spot, Alternaria blight, Powdery mildew and Bacterial blight are important diseases of sesame. Cercospora leaf spot caused by Cercospora sesamicola and powdery mildew caused by Oidium erysiphae are destructive diseases in India. Sesamum indicum has a large number of varieties and are susceptible to many pathogens. The occurrence and severity is location specific based on agro climatic situations. Hence, an attempt was made to identify the effective management practices for Cercospora leaf spot and powdery mildew in Sesame through integrated approach. Results revealed that, seed treatment with Trichoderma viride @ 10 g/kg and furrow application of enriched Trichoderma viride (Trichoderma viride 2.5 kg enriched in 100 kg FYM) @ 250 Kg/ha followed by spray of (Tebuconazole 50% + Trifloxistrobin 25% WG) @ 0.5 g/l recorded least per cent disease index for Cercospora leaf spot and powdery mildew 41.39 and 18.36 respectively, with the highest yield of 17.57 q/ha in treated as compared to untreated check 67.55 and 67.45 per cent disease index for Cercospora leaf spot and powdery mildew respectively, with grain yield of 7.59 q/ha indicating maximum yield loss. The maximum net returns and highest B: C ratio was also obtained in treatment (Tebuconazole 50% + Trifloxistrobin 25% WG) @ 0.5 g/l.