Efficacy of different triazole fungicides in reducing combined incidence of early leaf spot, late leaf spot and rust diseases of groundnut

Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) is a significant crop of oilseeds suffering from many diseases, including early and late leaf spot and leaf rust, the most commonly distributed and economically significant foliar diseases of groundnut that cause severe crop damage. To find out the most effective fungicide for management, a field trial with six fungicides was performed. In present study it was revealed that all the triazole fungicides significantly reduced leaf spots and rust and increased pod and haulm yield. However, the per cent disease reduction over control varied with fungicides. Hexaconazole + zineb (0.1%), tebuconazole (0.3%) and tebuconazole (0.15%) significantly reduced early as well as late leaf spot when compared with other fungicidal treatments. Hexaconazole + zineb (0.1%) sprayed plots had minimum disease severity, remained green due to higher chlorophyll content and took 10 days more for harvest which was observed as an additional effect on crop. The efficacy of hexaconazole + zineb (0.1%) treatment was at par with tebuconazole (0.3%) treatment.