Management of Colletotrichum blight of betelvine (Piper betle L.)

Betelvine or ‘Pan’ (Piper betle L.) is a perennial dioecious, shade loving root climber native of Malaysia is grown in India since ancient times. Blight caused by Colletotrichum gloeosporioides is a serious disease for betelvine. The fungus frequently targets both young and mature leaves. screening of varieties were carried out at Betelvine Research Station (BRS), Ramtek Tahsil during September to December 2023, to know the intensity of Colletotrichum blight of piper betle. Pathogenicity test of Colletotrichum gloeosporioides was done by spray inoculation method. Among the six fungicides, the most promising fungicide which restricted 100% growth of the Colletotrichum gloeosporioides were Copper oxychloride 50% WP (0.2%), Iprodione 50% WP (0.2%), Tebuconazole 25.9% EC (0.1%), Carbendazim 12% + Mancozeb 63% WP (0.25%) and Metiram 55% + Pyraclostrobin 5% WG (0.3%). The most promising botanicals which restricted 100% growth of the test pathogen was Turmeric and Garlic extract. Among bioagents, the maximum percent growth inhibition was recorded in Trichoderma harzianum (76.80).