Management of rice sheath blight through new fungicidal formulations in field

Sheath blight of rice caused by Rhizoctonia solani Kuhn (Thanatephorus cucumeris (Frank) Donk) is a serious disease in many rice growing regions and has become more prevalent in many high yielding varieties currently grown in India. The disease generally appears at maximum tillering stage and affects all plant parts above water line. A cultivar ‘Karuna’ at CRRI, Cuttack could not be harvested due to severe infection of this disease during 1980 (3). A modest estimation of loss of 16.8-48.4% due to sheath blight disease alone in India has been reported (7). Fungicidal control of the disease has been reported by several workers from different parts of India (1,2,5,6,8,9). In the present study an attempt was made to evaluate new fungicidal formulations namely Amistar 25 SC (Azoxystrobin) at 0.75 ml/l and 1.0 ml/l, Flusilazole 40 EC (Flusilazole) at 0.4 ml/l and 0.6 ml/l, Opus 7.5 EC (Epoxyconazole) at 3.0 ml/l as compared with standard fungicides Sheathmar 3L (Validamycin) at 2.5 ml/l and Rhizocin 3L (Validamycin) at 2.5 ml/l.