Effect of nitrogen levels on foliar and stalk rot diseases of Kharif maize

A study was undertaken to evaluate eight maize hybrids of different maturity groups against maydis leaf blight (MLB), banded leaf and sheath blight (BLSB) and post flowering stalk rots (PFSR) under different nutrient management conditions during Kharif 2012 and 2013. Highest disease severity of MLB, BLSB and PFSR was recorded in site specific nutrient management (SSNM) followed by recommended dose of fertilizer (100% RDF) and 50% RDF. There was significant difference between SSNM and 50% or 100% RDF whereas 50% RDF and 100% RDF did not differ significantly with respect to diseases. Among the varieties, Parkash recorded highest incidence of MLB whereas, HQPM 1 and CM-08-292 showed maximum incidence of BLSB and PFSR, respectively. The mean grain yield was found maximum (81.4 q/ha) in PMH 1 and minimum (61.7 q/ha) in HQPM 1.