Integrated management of pearl millet downy mildew caused by Sclerospora graminicola

The study was conducted in field conditions for two growing seasons, during Kharif 2019-20 and 2020-21 at National Agriculture Research Project, Aurangabad, Maharashtra (India) to evaluate chemicals, organic amendments, bio-control agents, and plant extracts under field condition against pearl millet downy mildew caused by Sclerospora graminicola. The disease incidence and severity were recorded at 30 and 60 days after sowing along with grain yield. The two years pooled mean foliar application of Trifloxystrobin 50 per cent WG @ 1 ml L was found most effective at 30 DAS in respect of reducing DI and DS (1.66 and -1 0.57%) which was at par with Azoxystrobin 23 per cent SC @ 2ml L (1.99 and 0.73%) compared to -1 untreated control (7.00 and 3.96%), respectively while DI and DS was (0.00% each) compare to untreated control (8.83 and 6.48%) at 60 DAS respectively. The same fungicides were found superior in terms of yield and economics over control. Furthermore, these fungicides were also found to significantly improve grain yield and economic returns compared to the untreated control.. KEYWORDS :Bioagents, downy mildew, fungicides, organic amendment, pearl millet and plant extract