Integrated management of foliar diseases of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) in India

Abstract

Field experiments for the integrated management of early leaf spot (ELS) and late leaf spot (LLS) diseases of groundnut were conducted during 1988 to 1990 rainy seasons. All treatments had significantly lower disease severity of ELS and LLS than unsprayed sole crop. Corresponding to the significantly lower severity of both the diseases in various treatments, monetary returns were also significantly higher than that of unsprayed sole crop. The severity of both diseases was significantly different among treatments, between varieties, and due to their interactions. Almost the same trend was followed for monetary returns. The treatments, application of a mixture of fungicides (carben‐dazim 0.05% + mancozeb 0.2%) at 40, 55 and 70 d.a.s., groundnut intercropped with pigeonpea + two sprays of fungicides at 55 and 70 d.a.s., and groundnut intercropped with pigeonpea + one spray each of neem leaf extract, fungicides and cell‐free culture filtrate of Penicillium islandicum at 40, 55 and 70 d.a.s., respectively were equally effective in controlling ELS and LLS. The latter two treatments, and groundnut intercropped with pigeonpea and sprayed separately with neem leaf extract and P. islandicum inoculum at 55 and 70 d.a.s., gave significantly higher net monetary returns (Rs. 9569–11561/ha) with cost—benefit ratios ranging from 1:2·99 to 1:3·63 for Girnar 1 and 1:2·67 to 1:3·48 for JL 24 cultiver.

Keywords:

• integrated management
• early and late leaf spots
• groundnut
• India