Laboratory assessment of botanicals, bio-control agents and fungicides combating Exserohilum turcicum-inducing Turcicum leaf blight in maize

Abstract

The research focuses on the management of Turcicum leaf blight, a foliar disease caused by Exserohilum turcicum in maize crops. The disease leads to significant yield losses (25-90%) and is typically managed with fungicides, which pose environmental and toxicity concerns. The study explores alternative methods, including botanicals, bio-control agents, and fungicides. Among eight botanicals tested, extracts from parthenium, onion, neem, and tarvad exhibit effectiveness against E. turcicum. Bio-control agents, particularly Trichoderma harzianum, showed promising results in inhibiting the pathogen. Among fungicides, carbendazim 12% + mancozeb 63% WP demonstrates 100% inhibition of E. turcicum mycelial growth at half of the recommended and recommended concentrations, outperforming other fungicides such as azoxystrobin 18.2% W/W + cyproconazole 7.3% W/W (96.66% and 97.22% respectively) and pyraclostrobin 133 g/l + epoxiconazole 50 g/l SE(85.55% and 88.33% respectively). kresoximmethyl 44.3% SC exhibits the least inhibitory effect (27.15% and 29.07% respectively). These findings suggest potential alternatives for managing Turcicum leaf blight with reduced environmental impact.