In-vitro evaluation of fungicides against Colletotrichum capsici causal organism of anthracnose disease of chilli

Chilli is found to be comprised of many plant derived chemical compounds that promote health. Anthracnose of chilli (Capsicum annuum L.) caused by Colletotrichum capsici (Syd.) Butler and Bisby, is one of the major and devastating diseases of chilli causes severe losses (10-60%) both in yield and quality of the chilli depending upon the varieties. Management strategies for this disease include use of disease free seed, resistant/tolerant cultivars and fungicidal sprays. Chemicals are the most common and practical method to control anthracnose disease. However, fungicide tolerance often arises quickly, if a single compound is relied upon too heavily (Staub, 1991). Fungicides are gaining importance in crop protection in view of their selective properties, low cost and safety to ecosystem. Many fungicides as a chemical have been identified to be effective in the control of plant diseases. Keeping in mind that the anthracnose of chilli, is one of the major and devastating diseases of chilli. Present investigation was aimed to identify the most suitable fungicide to control the incidence of Colletotrichum capsici. The present investigation was carried out in the Department of Plant Pathology, college of Agriculture, RVSKVV Gwalior (M.P.) using Completely Randomised Block Design (CRD) with five replication during Kharif 2015-16. Six chemicals (Carbendazim 50WP, Metalaxyl+Mancozeb (Redomil Gold), Mancozeb 75WP, Thiophanate methyl, Copper oxychloride, Tricyclazole 75WP,) will be evaluated against C. capsici under in vitro condition by adoption of Poisoned Food Technique with different concentration viz. 20, 50, 100, 250, 500 and 1000 µg/ml, respectively and untreated was considered as a control in all the replication with different concentration. Findings concluded that the minimum mycelial growth was recorded in 1000 µg/ml compared to rest of concentrations. Thiophanate methyl and Copper oxychloride were the best toxic fungicides inhibiting the mycelial growth in vitro at all the six concentrations. In fungicides, Thiophanate methyl inhibited highest mycelial growth, which was at par with Copper oxychloride.