Studies on fungicides against Rhizoctonia solani f.sp. Sasakii causing banded leaf and sheath blight of maize

Eight fungicides namely: Thiophenate-Methyl, Validamycin, Propineb, Difenoconazole, Carbendazim + Mancozeb, Carbendazim, Mancozeb and Hexaconazole were screened in-vitro by using poisoned food technique for their effect on inhibition of mycelium growth of Rhizoctonia solani f .sp. sasakii, the causal agent of banded leaf and sheath blight of maize. Among all fungicides screened, maximum inhibition of mycelium growth was observed in Difenoconazole, Thiophenate-Methyl and Hexaconazole, while maximum Percent disease reduction was observed in Validamycin followed by Difenoconazole. Maximum grain yield was recorded in Validamycin and Difenoconazole among the tested all fungicides.