Management of sigatoka leaf spot disease of banana with fungicides and petroleum based mineral oil formulations

The experiment was carried out at Horticultural Research Station, O.U.A.T, Bhubaneswar during 2013-14 and 2014-15 with the objectives of finding out the best treatment for management of sigatoka leaf spot disease (Mycosphaerella musicola) of banana. The investigation revealed that among eight treatments tested, T6 (application of 0.05 per cent propiconazole + 1 per cent mineral oil) recorded its superiority in respect of disease control, yield and quality of fruit than rest of the treatments. This treatment also resulted in least disease severity and more disease free leaves (YLS) (1.29 & 7.7 respectively) along with the highest bunch yield (21.00 kg plant-1) and B:C ratio of 2.60. Difenconazole 1 ml l-1 (0.1%)+ petroleum based mineral oil (1%) with the disease severity of 1.89 in 0-6 scale was found to be the second best treatment. Maximum disease severity and lowest bunch weight was observed in control. Hence, the spraying(s) of 0.05 per cent propiconazole + 1 per cent mineral oil is recommended for effective control of sigatoka leaf spot disease of banana.