Efficacy of some fungicides against downy mildew of cucumber

Seven fungicides have been tested on cucumber against downy mildew caused by Pseudoperonospora cubensis namely Amistar (azoxystrobin), Curzate (cymoxanil + mancozeb), Ridomil MZ (metalaxyl +mancozeb), Blitox-50 (copper oxychloride), Indofil M-45 (mancozeb), Companion (mancozeb +carbendazim) and Shield during 2006-07. Spray application of each fungicide was started in the 1st week of July and in all three sprays were given at 14 days interval. Data were also recorded in terms of fruit yield per plot and data of two years were pooled and analyzed. Among all the fungicides tested Ridomil MZ proved the best in managing the disease up to maximum level (73.75%) during both the years with lowest disease severity value of 16.11 per cent. As far as fruit yield was concerned it was recorded to be more in the plots with lesser disease severity and vice-versa. Pooled fruit yield for both the years was maximum (6.858 kg/plot) in the plots sprayed with Ridomil MZ non-significantly followed by in those sprayed with Shield (6.523 kg/plot) and Blitox-50 (5.942 kg/plot).