Detection of fungal pathogen, Alternaria alternata associated with mungbean and its management

The damaging potential of Alternaria alternata on different mungbean genotypes was accessed and its management was done under in vitro and in vivo conditions through suitable fungicides. Seeds of fifty different mungbean genotypes were sown in lines. There were fifteen replications for each line. The data on disease incidence and percent disease intensity were accessed on all the genotypes. Infection was observed on all genotypes, none of them were found to be immune. Fourteen lines were found to be the most susceptible (14114, 14117, 14128, 14198, 14203, 14205, 14250, 14265, 14266, 14295, 14305, 14306, 14368, 14438). Infection was observed on all genotypes, none of them were found to be immune. The maximum PDI (Percent Disease Intensity) was recorded 35.30% while minimum was 2.43%. For detached leaf assay, the conidial suspension of 105 conidia/mLwas prepared and sprayed on detached leaves. The results revealed that maximum infection percentage was observed in 14306, 14198 genotypes while minimum was observed in 14128, 14203. The lesion area was found to be maximum in 14306, 14198 (0.23, 0.22) while minimum in 14128 (0.12) respectively. For management experiments, different fungicides; Propiconazole (Tilt), Propineb (Antracol), Difenconazole (Score), Thiophanate methyl (Topsin M), Mancozeb (Dithane M45) were tested under in vitro and in vivo conditions. Significant decrease in mycelial growth with the increase in concentration of fungicides was observed. Percent inhibition of mycelial growth was maximum in Propiconazole at its highest concentration (1000 ppm) under in vitro conditions. A significant decline in disease incidence was observed as compared to control treatment. The minimum percent disease incidence was recorded in Propiconazole (10.34) with PDC (67.31) while the maximum percent disease incidence was observed in Thiophanate methyl (25.46). So, Propiconazole could be used successfully for the management of A. alternata under field conditions.