Bio-efficacy evaluation of CR formulations of Azoxystrobin against Rhizoctonia solani

Controlled release (CR) formulations of azoxystrobin (Methyl (E)-2-{2[6-(2-cyanophenoxy) pyrimidin-4-yloxy] phenyl}-3-methoxyacrylate) were prepared using amphiphilic polymers synthesized from PEG and aliphatic mono acids, di acids and aromatic di acid employing encapsulation technique. Antifungal activity of azoxystrobin was carried out against Rhizoctonia solani. Seven CR formulations and commercial formulation of azoxystrobin (25 SC) were screened for their fungicidal activities against R. solani by the poisoned food technique and under field conditions. Most of the developed CR formulations recorded higher efficacy over commercial formulation and controlled the disease infestation. The % inhibition ranged from 55.4–86.0% against Rhizoctonia solani and resulted in a significant reduction of sheath blight.