Status of sesame diseases and their integrated management using indigenous practices

Sesame phyllody is the most destructive disease in India. Among the fungal diseases, Alternaria leaf blights, Phytophthora leaf spot, Cercospora leaf spot Macrophomina root /stem rot, Powdery Mildew, Bacterial leaf spot and Bacterial blight are important diseases of sesame. The incidence of important diseases varies from state to state based on agro climatic situations. Seed treatment with Thiram (0.2%) +Carbendazim 50WP (0.1%) and foliar spray should be done with Wettable sulphur (0.2%) was most effective to minimize the incidence of powdery mildew. For bacterial diseases Streptocycline (250-300ppm) may be used for seed treatment. Seed treatment with Thiram (0.2%) + Carbendazim 50WP (0.1%) and two foliar sprays of (Mancozeb 2%+ Carbindazim1%) was effective in reducing the Alternaria and Cercospora disease and highest yield. Seed treatment with Imidacloprid (@ 5 ml/kg seed) followed by foliar spray of Thiomethaxam @ 0.2 g/l was found effective in reducing the vector population and phyllody incidence. Seed treatment with Trichoderma viride (5g/kg seed and soil application of T. viride @ 2.5 kg/ha was found effective and economical for the management of Macrophomina root /stem rot of sesame.