Disease Situation of Sesame (Sesamum indicum l.) in Major Sesame Growing Regions of Northern Karnataka, India

The survey was conducted in major sesame-growing districts of North Karnataka such as Vijayapura, Belgaum, Bagalkote, Gadag and Dharwad to record the incidence of different foliar diseases such as Cercospora leafspot, Alternaria leaf blight, Powdery mildew and Phyllody for two Kharif season (2023-2024). The average percent disease incidence of different districts surveyed during Kharif 2023 and 2024. The maximum average severity of Cercospora leaf spot was recorded in Vijaypur district (25.3%) and Belgaum (25.3%) district, whereas the lowest per cent disease severity was noticed in Bagalkote district (21.3%). The maximum average disease severity of Alternaria blight was noticed in the Vijaypur district (28.2%) and the lowest average disease severity was recorded in the Gadag district (21.8%). The highest severity of Powdery mildew disease was recorded in the Gadag district (25.7%) and the lowest disease severity was noticed in Dharwad district (21.8%). The maximum average per cent disease incidence of Phyllody was noticed in the Belgaum district (26.9%) and the average lowest disease incidence was recorded in the Gadag district (19.4%). Appropriate control methods of the above diseases should be identified and recommended to sesame growers to prevent crop yield loss and increase productivity.