Revolutionizing cumin crop health: Unveiling the potent power of ready-mix fungicides in mitigating devastating foliar diseases

Cultivation of cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.), a vital spice crop in India, faces significant challenges due to foliar diseases including blight (Alternaria burnsii) and powdery mildew (Erysiphe polygoni) in the major growing districts of Gujarat, India. This research aimed to assess the efficacy of ten different ready-mix fungicides in managing blight and powdery mildew diseases in cumin under field conditions during Rabi seasons in 2019-20, 2020-21, and 2021-22. The results, presented as a three-year pooled dataset, revealed the overall effectiveness of the fungicidal treatments in suppressing both diseases. The treatment Metiram 55% + Pyraclostrobin 5% WG @ 0.180% exhibited the lowest disease intensity (13.82%), highest seed yield (786 kg ha ) statistically comparable to Pyraclostrobin 13.3% + Epoxiconazole 5% SE -1 that was (16.00%) and Azoxystrobin 11% + Tebuconazole 18.3% SC (18.50%). While, the control plots recorded the highest blight disease intensity (48.34%) and lowest seed yield (487 kg ha ). application -1 Economically, the of Metiram 55% + Pyraclostrobin 5% WG @ 0.180% demonstrated the highestt net realization (Rs. 33055/-). Although, the maximum Incremental Cost-Benefit Ratio (ICBR) was observed in the treatment of Pyraclostrobin 13.3% + Epoxiconazole 5% SE as 1:10.72, followed by the Metiram 55% + Pyraclostrobin 5% WG @ 0.180% (1:8.65).. KEYWORDS :Blight, cumin, powdery mildew, ready mix fungicides