Studies on Management of Cercospora Leaf Spot (Cercospora canescens) of Black Gram (Vigna mungo L.)

Black gram [Vigna mungo (L.)] is one of the most important pulse crops in India, valued for its high protein content and ability to improve soil fertility. However, its productivity is significantly hindered by various foliar diseases, with Cercospora Leaf Spot (CLS) caused by Cercospora canescens being among the most devastating. The present study aims to investigate the isolation of Cercospora canescens from infected black gram plants and evaluate various management practices, including botanicals, bio-agents, and chemical treatments, under controlled conditions. The study was undertaken during Kharif 2024 at the Student Research Farm, Department of Plant Pathology, Bundelkhand University, Jhansi, to evaluate the effectiveness of different management strategies against CLS under field conditions. A total of nine treatments, including botanicals, bio-agents, fungicides, and control, were assessed in a Randomised Block Design (RBD) with three replications. Parameters such as disease incidence and percent disease reduction were recorded at 30 and 45 days after sowing (DAS). Results revealed that Propiconazole 25% EC (0.05%) was the most effective treatment, recording the lowest disease incidence (18.3% and 18.7% at 30 and 45 DAS, respectively), followed by Carbendazim (0.5%) and Mancozeb 75 WP (0.2%). Among botanicals, Neem Seed Kernel Extract (NSKE) showed superior performance, while Trichoderma harzianum was effective as a biological control agent. The study highlights the efficacy of integrating chemical, botanical, and biological approaches in managing CLS in black gram. The use of environmentally safe and sustainable treatments, such as bio-agents and plant extracts, offers promising alternatives for reducing dependency on chemical fungicides, thus contributing to Integrated Disease Management (IDM) strategies.