Evaluation of non-systemic fungicides for growth inhibition of Alternaria burnsii causing blight in cumin.

Cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.) is an important seed spice crop at world level and India is the leading producer (70% of world production), consumer and exporter of cumin in the world. Almost 80% of the crop cultivated is consumed in India. The crop yield is affected by several biotic and abiotic factors, among them, blight caused by Alternaria burnsii (Uppal, Patel & Kamat) is one of the most dreaded diseases and a major production constrain for the successful cultivation of cumin crop. Among the non-systemic fungicides tested, captan 75% WP, chlorothalonil 75 % WP and mancozeb 75 % WP were most effective with 95.67, 95.62 and 94.86 per cent growth inhibition, respectively whereas hexaconazole 5 % EC was most effective in systemic fungicides with 99.98 per cent inhibition followed by Tebuconazole 25.9 % EC 87.40 per cent inhibition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]