Management of Early Blight of Potato through Chemicals

A study was conducted with eight chemicals, viz., mancozeb, propineb, metalaxyl MZ, Fosetyl-AL, aureofungin, streptocycline, phosphonic acid and chlorothalonil at All India Co-ordinated Potato Improvement Project (AICPIP), Deesa (Gujarat) for four years i.e. 1994–95 to 1997–98 against early blight of potato (Altemaria solani) under field conditions with cv. Kufri Badshah. The results indicated that three sprays of metalaxyl MZ 0.2% recorded maximum control of the disease followed by propineb, mancozeb and chlorothalonil @ 0.2% in increasing order. Yield components also followed the same trend and stood at par statistically. But the economics computed showed mancozeb as the highest net gainer followed by chlorothalonil and metalaxyl MZ. When epiphytotic conditions prevail, metalaxyl MZ, may be sprayed to avoid huge damage.