Integrated management of anthracnose of commons beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) amidst temperate conditions of Kashmir valley

AbstractThe cultivation of common beans is subjected to various production constraints, with anthracnose emerging as a prominent challenge. The reliance on chemical fungicides in conventional agricultural practices not only jeopardizes agricultural systems but also disrupts ecological equilibrium. To address this concern, alternative approaches involving the utilization of bio-control agents and plant extracts in seed treatment for sowing are imperative. Consequently, the present investigation titled “Integrated management of anthracnose of commons beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) amidst temperate conditions of Kashmir Valley” was undertaken during the Kharif season of 2020. A comprehensive disease management strategy was formulated, demonstrating that seed treatment with a combination of mancozeb (63%) and carbendazim (12%) at 0.3% concentration, followed by two foliar sprays, the first utilizing carbendazim 50 WP at 0.1% during the first trifoliate stage and the second employing mancozeb (63%) + carbendazim (12%) at 0.3% during the second trifoliate stage, resulted in the lowest disease incidence (3.19%), disease intensity (1.61%), and the highest pod yield (82.37 q ha-1) among all treatment combinations. In contrast, the control plot exhibited the highest disease incidence (46.51%), disease intensity (23.29%), and the lowest pod yield (51.40 q ha-1). This research underscores the significance of integrated disease management practices for mitigating anthracnose in common bean cultivation, thereby contributing to sustainable and eco-friendly agricultural systems.