<div>Background: Amaranthus is the most popular and commercially cultivated leafy vegetable in the Southern part of India, especially Tamil Nadu and Kerala which is susceptible to a number of diseases. Among the different diseases affecting amaranth, foliar blight caused by Rhizoctonia solani Kuhn, is considered as the most serious disease in Kerala.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: A field experiment was taken up at Onattukara Regional Agricultural Research Station (O.R.A.R.S), Kayamkulam, Alappuzha, Kerala during December 2019 to February 2020 to assess the influence of dust and liquid formulations of Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR) mix I on growth, yield and disease incidence (Rhizoctonia leaf blight) in amaranthus.&nbsp; 
 
Result: The results of the study reveal that maximum number of leaves, number of branches per plant and yield were produced by the plants that were subjected to seedling root dip with 5% talc formulation followed by drenching with 5% talc solution at 30 DAT and 45 DAT. Regardless of talc or liquid formulation of PGPR mix I (2%) seedling dip followed by drenching at 15, 30 and 45 DAT provided the least disease incidence and disease severity in amaranthus at Onattukara condition. Hence use of PGPR mix I is a prerequisite for effective growth, yield and management of leaf blight of amaranthus at Onattukara.</div>

<div>Effect of Inoculation of Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR) Mix I Formulations on Plant Growth, Yield, Disease Incidence and Disease Severity of Rhizoctonia Leaf Blight of Amaranthus (Amaranthus tricolor L.)</div>

<div>Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merrill] is high value oilseed crop grown throughout the world as well as in few soybean growing pockets in India. The hot and humid weather conditions during the soybean cropping season favours the attack by various fungal, bacterial and viral diseases, thereby lowering the crop productivity. Rhizoctonia aerial blight or web blight disease, caused by Rhizoctonia solani is considered one of the most economically important disease of soybean in India. It causes yields losses ranging from 35-60% which might reach a devastating level of 80% under favourable environmental conditions. In India, the disease has been reported from most of the soybean growing states of Uttrakhand, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Assam. Epidemiological studies prove to be very important in managing the disease as the disease severity highly depends on the weather variables prevailing in the growing season. The present review has attempted to compile findings on this devastating disease of soybean crops, its prevalence in the country, epidemiological studies and strategies on integrated disease management.</div>

Rhizoctonia Aerial Blight of Soybean, its Prevalence and Epidemiology: A Review

<div>Background: Pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp] is one of the primary grain legume crops grown in India for its high quality vegetable protein, animal feed and fodder. It is affected by various fungal and viral diseases. Among these, leaf blight caused by Alternaria alternata is one of the most destructive diseases and recently the disease of minor importance becomes major one in Tamil Nadu. Use of resistant cultivar is the most effective, economically viable and eco-friendly tool for combating the plant diseases. The micronutrients play a key role in many physiological and biochemical functions of the plants which influences plant pathogenic interaction. The micronutrients viz., Zn.Mn,Cu and Fe found to have greater impact on reducing the plant disease severity. Developing integrated disease management strategy involving disease resistant variety, micronutrient and fungicide application would be the best sustainable method for controlling the pigeonpea leaf blight. 
 
Methods: Twenty four pigeonpea genotypes along with two local varieties viz., CO5 and CO6 were evaluated in the field for their resistance against Alternaria alternata leaf blight disease, consecutively for three years from 2015-16 to 2017-18 using the disease resistance scale ranging from 0 to 9. Field experiments were also conducted for three consecutive Kharif season from 2015 to 2018 to evaluate the efficacy of the foliar application of different micronutrients and combination fungicide viz., carbendazim 12% + mancozeb 63% on the incidence of leaf blight disease.&nbsp; 
 
Result: A total of 24 pigeonpea genotypes were screened for their resistance against leaf blight under field condition. Among these, four genotypes viz., BDN2, IPA 8F, IPA 15F and MA6 were found resistance and nine genotypes were moderately resistant and remaining 11 genotypes showed susceptible reaction to leaf blight. The results of the field experiment on micronutrient and fungicide application revealed that foliar spraying of MnSO 4 @0.2% on 30 days after sowing and carbendazim 12%+ mancozeb 63%@ 1g / lit on 45 days after sowing recorded the lowest leaf blight incidence of 8.1 PDI (Per cent Disease Index) with the highest disease reduction of 76.9% as against 35 PDI in the untreated control plot. The above treatments also recorded the highest grain yield of 905 kg/ ha as against 703 kg/ in the untreated control.</div>

<div>Management of Alternaria Leaf Blight in Pigeonpea through Host Plant Resistance and Micronutrient Application</div>

<div>Background: Leaf blight caused by Exserohilum turcicum (E. turcicum) is commonly or generally found on sorghum grown in the sub-tropics and tropical lowlands during summer. The pathogen is easily wind disseminated and apparently most consistent in their occurrence and severity across the diverse sorghum growing environments. The sweet sorghum variety SSV 74 was released by University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad for kharif season mainly for fodder purpose. This variety is also good for ethanol production and jaggery making. However, for the last several years this variety was showing its susceptibility to the leaf blight caused by E. turcicum and causes heavy losses both in fodder and its quality. Even though there are reports of the presence of leaf blight caused by E. turcicum on the grain sorghum, no precise information is available on the presence of the leaf blight on sweet sorghum in India as well as in the world and no information is available about the magnitude of losses caused by this disease. Hence, the experiment was conducted to assess the losses caused by the E. turcicum. 
 
Methods: An experiment on loss assessment in sweet sorghum due to leaf blight caused by E. turcicum was carried out at Main Agricultural Research Station, University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad, during kharif 2017 using randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications and seven treatments. Six treatments were imposed with hexaconazole at 0.1% besides a treatment with unsprayed control. 
 
Result: Lowest per cent disease index (PDI) (24.76%) as well as area under disease progressive curve (789.61) was observed in treatment involving six sprays of hexaconazole at 0.1% followed by five sprays, (PDI: 27.51%, AUDPC: 815.32) and four sprays T4 (PDI: 32.57%, AUDPC: 908.80). Highest fodder yield (46.47 t/ha), brix value (12.47%), crude fibre content (28.22%), leaf ash content (23.08%) and crude protein content (5.29%) was observed in treatment with six sprays of hexaconazole at 0.1%. With respect to the per cent increase over control, 17.47-37.20 per cent increase in fodder yield, 7.4-21.17 per cent in brix value, 11.64-9.66 per cent in crude fibre content, 12.74-62.91 per cent in leaf ash content and 4.36-13.00 per cent in crude protein content was observed at one spray to six sprays with hexaconazole at 0.1 per cent, respectively.</div>

Assessment of Losses in Sweet Sorghum Genotype (SSV 74) due to Leaf Blight caused by Exserohilum turcicum (Pass.) Leonard and Suggs

<div>Background: Maize is gaining importance among cereal crops as it is a good source of nutrition and phytochemical compounds. Among various pathogens attacking maize, banded leaf and sheath blight (BLSB) caused by Rhizoctonia solani f.sp sasakii is a very serious impediment for quality maize production. All the plant parts got infected with this disease under severe conditions. When this fungus completes its life cycle, it produces sclerotia on different plant parts which serve as inoculum for disease development in the upcoming season. 
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Methods: Keeping in view the economic value of the crop, occurrence and losses caused by this disease worldwide, the experiment on disease management was conducted to evaluate different fungicides under field conditions at Regional Research Station Uchani, Karnal of CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar. The effects on yield parameters were also recorded. 
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Result: Results showed that all five fungicides were effective in controlling this disease and increasing yield as compared to the untreated checks. Azoxystrobin @ 0.1% foliar sprays twice at 30 and 45 DAS was found most effective in reducing the disease upto 73.54 per cent and increasing the grain yield (64.06 q/ha) by 77.30 per cent as compared to untreated control.</div>

Field Evaluation of Fungicides for the Management of Banded Leaf and Sheath Blight of Maize and Their Effect on Yield Parameters

<div>Background: Maize is an important cereal crops as it is a good source of nutrition and raw material for industries. Among various pathogens attacking maize crop, banded leaf and sheath blight (BLSB) caused by Rhizoctonia solani f.sp sasakii is a potential threat for quality maize production. It affects all the plant parts at every stage of crop growth.&nbsp; 
 
Methods:&nbsp;The present investigation was carried out at Regional Research Station Uchani, Karnal of CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar to evaluate the efficiency and efficacy of biorational products (Cowpathy) such as Vedic Krishi inputs viz., Beejamrit and Jiwamrit, compost extract and biocontrol agents with the objective to manage banded leaf and sheath disease and increasing yield of maize.&nbsp; 
 
Result: All the biorational products were found quite effective in controlling the disease and enhancing the yield attributes. Seed treatment with Achook (Neem based fungicide containing azadirachtin) @ 2 g/l of seed was found most effective in controlling disease upto 51.77 per cent. Seed treatment with Pseudomonas fluorescens @ 10 ml/kg followed by Beejamrit @ 10 ml/kg were also found effective in reducing the disease incidence as compared to control. These are economic, reliable and viable sources and hold good promise for use in organic and sustainable agriculture.</div>

Field Efficacy of Cowpathy Products and Biological Control Agents in Controlling Banded Leaf and Sheath Blight Disease and Increasing Maize Yield

<div style="text-align: justify;">Background: Low nutrient content in ultisol soils and the result of Maydis leaf rot are a major problem in efforts to increase corn productivity in Southeast Sulawesi Province, Indonesia. The use of organic materials and biological agents is one of the solutions in increasing disease resistance and corn productivity in the environmentally friendly ultisol lands. This study aims to assess the effectiveness of the biological agent Biofresh combined with various types of organic material to increase resistance to Maydis leaf rot and maize productivity in ultisol lands.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Methods: Research in April-August 2017 in Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia. With 21 units of experiments using a random block design with 7 treatments in combination of Biofresh with organic material &lsquo;Bokashi&rsquo;. consists of: B0 = Inorganic fertilizer; B1 = Organic material of cow dung; B2 = Biofresh Biological Agent; B3 = Biofresh biological agent combined with cow dung organic matter; B4 = Biofresh biological agent combination with bokashi cow dung and straws; B5 = Biofresh combination of biological agents with bokashi cow dung and soybean Sitter; B6 = Biofresh Biological agent combination with all Cow, straw and soybean bokashi.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Result: The results showed that the combination of Biofresh with organic material in the form of bokashi at a dose of 5 tons ha-1 was very effective in increasing the durability and productivity of corn plants in ultisol land. The combination of Biofresh biological agents with bokashi containing cow&rsquo;s feses, straw, and soy litter can reduce Maydis leaf blight leaf blight disease by 47.36% and increase production by 53.54%. Disease suppression index is positively correlated with maize crop productivity in Ultisol land.</div>

<div style="text-align: justify;">Increase Resistance to Maydis Leaf Blight and Productivity of Maize in Ultisol Soils with A Combination of Organic Material and Biological Agents Biofresh</div>

<div>Background: Lotus, Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn is Vietnam&rsquo;s symbol and Buddhism&rsquo;s flower and plays an essential part in rural Vietnam&rsquo;s economy as all aspects of lotus could bring benefits to farmers. But, unfortunately, lotus yield in Vietnam is seriously affected by various plant diseases. Among them, leaf blight is currently emerging as one of the primary diseases devastating lotus crops in Vietnam, in which there are large necrotic parts on lotus leaves, flowers and seeds.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: Aloe barbadensis extract was used for synthesizing silver nanoparticles. Leaf blight lotus leaves were collected to isolate pathogenic fungi-infection of isolated pathogenic fungi on the healthy lotus and then identify hidden mold by 28S rRNA sequencing. Determination of in vitro minimal inhibition concentration of nano-silver was conducted according to Azizi. The reduction of disease symptoms and biological characteristics of the treated lotus was observed. 
 
Result: Morphological analysis and molecular identification of 28S rRNA sequencing showed that the pathogenic microorganism was Mycoleptodiscus indicus (M. indicus). Both in vitro antifungal activity and in vivo&nbsp;treatment of leaf blight lotus using a nano-silver solution showed that 30 ppm of nano-silver was the minimal inhibition concentration (MIC) for totally eradicating M. indicus growth. This was the first time M. indicus was reported to infect and cause leaf blight on a lotus. Previously, M. indicus was a well-known plant pathogen that could cross-kingdom infect humans and animals. Thus, the fact that lotus is widely cultured in Vietnamese rural could increase the chance for M. indicus to spread; hence, this raised the alarm about its potential harm to plants, humans and animals. And, significantly, it revealed nano-silver as a possible approach to prevent M. indicus.</div>

Study on the In vitro and In vivo Antifungal Activities of Nano-silver against Mycoleptodiscus indicus causing Leaf Blight on Lotus in Vietnam

Background: Leaf blight disease is painful nerve to carrot growing farmer because it causes huge economic loss to the farmer every year. Leaf blight of carrot is seed and soil borne disease causes by Alternaria alternata. Hence management of the disease by fungicides is the best alternative. Therefore, in the present investigation, our main emphasis was to identify best fungicide for management of leaf blight of carrot. 
 
Methods: Seven fungicides were tested against leaf blight pathogen (Alternaria alternata) in lab as well as in cage house condition. The experiment was conducted at Cage house of department of Plant Pathology, COA, Jodhpur during Rabi-2020-21.&nbsp; 
 
Result: Among all the fungicides used in the present investigation, difenoconazole 25% inhibited the 100% mycelial growth at all the concentrations. The next best treatment was tebuconazole 50%+trifloxystrobin 25% inhibited the 99.02% mycelial growth and Minimum mycelial growth inhibition was observed in mancozeb 75% WP&nbsp; followed by carbendazim 12%+mancozeb 63% 61.58% and 77.70%, respectively; along with control plate was showed 100% mycelium growth. The superior treatments under in vitro carry forward in vivo condition. When applied as foliar application under cage house condition, difenoconazole 25 EC at 0.25 ml/lit (11.17%) was observed lowest disease incidence.

Efficacy of Different Fungicides against Leaf Blight of Carrot Caused by Alternaria alternata (Fr.) Keissler

Web blight caused by Rhizoctonia solani causes huge yield loses in urdbean (Vigna mungo). All the commercially grown varieties are susceptible. Hence, more than ten fungicides were evaluated as foliar sprays during kharif season 2005, 2007-2010 using susceptible variety UL 338. &nbsp;Two foliar sprays of fungicides, namely; hexaconazole 5EC (Contaf 5EC)@ 0.1%, difenconazole 25EC (Score 25EC) @ 0.05%, carbendazim 50WP (Bavastin 50WP) @ 0.1% and propiconazole 25EC &nbsp;(Tilt 25EC) @ 0.1% &nbsp;significantly reduced the disease severity resulting in &nbsp;81.1, 80.6, 65.9 and 76.2% control over unsprayed &nbsp;check with corresponding mean yield of &nbsp;872, 821, 791 and 754 kg/ha compared with the mean yield of 584 kg /ha in unsprayed control . The net benefit for the two foliar sprays of &nbsp;hexaconazole 5EC, difenconazole 25EC, &nbsp;propiconazole 25EC and carbendazim 50WP and chlorthalonil 50WP, has been worked out to be Rs.10229, 6891, 6375, 4524 and 3274, respectively for the crop grown for the grain purpose (@Rs. 4300/q) &nbsp;with the cost: benefit ratio of 5.8, 3.1, 2.6, 4.0 and 1.8, respectively. In the crop, grown for the breeder seed purpose (Rs.12000/q), the net profit for foliar sprays of hexaconazole 5EC, difenconazole 25EC, propiconazole 25EC, carbendazim 50WP and chlorthanonil was worked out to be Rs.32405, 25140, 17616, 22614 and 16980 respectively with cost: benefit ratio of 16.0, 8.6, 7.3, 11.2 and 4.9, respectively. &nbsp;The same trend was observed for foundation and certified seed also. The fungicides were effective in reducing the severity of powdery mildew also.&nbsp; 
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