Evaluation of pea germplasm and management strategies for stem rot of pea caused by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (Lib.) de Bary

Pea (Pisum sativum L.) an annual herbaceous legume grown for its edible seeds and seed pods suffers from a number of diseases. Sclerotinia stem rot, caused by the fungus Sclerotinia sclerotiorum is a devastating disease affecting pea crops worldwide. 68 germplasm of pea were screened against stem rot by two methods i.e., by field screening and by detached leaf method (based on lesion length in cm). Out of 68 germplasm, none of the germplasm was found immune and resistant, 31 germplasm were found moderately resistant, 30 germplasm were found to moderately susceptible, 6 germplasms were found susceptible and 1 germplasm was found highly susceptible in field screening. Screening by detached leaf method showed that among 68 germplasm, 5 germplasm were found to resistant, 59 germplasm were found to moderately resistant and 4 germplasm were founded susceptible to stem rot. The disease can be managed by integrated approaches viz., cultural practices, biological control, botanicals, varietal resistance and chemical control. Nine treatments were undertaken in the study in which the disease first appeared in the untreated plot (56 DAS) and lately in the fungicides treated plots (65 DAS). After seed treatment and two sprays, maximum disease control was recorded in the plot treated with Tabuconazole 50% + Trifloxystrobin 25% WG (66.69%) and minimum disease control was recorded in mulching with neem leaves (28.68%) treated plots as compared to untreated check with maximum percent Disease Intensity (44.0%).