In vivo Bio-efficacy of Fungicides and Antagonists for the Management of Target Leaf Spot of Soybean [Corynespora cassiicola (Berk. and Curt.) Wei]

Foliar diseases cause major qualitative and quantitative yield loss in soybean, among which target leaf spot of soybean caused by Corynespora cassiicola is one of the constraints. Hence, management of this disease is much needed effort. Thus the present investigation was carried out for management of the disease under field condition using fungicides and bioagents that were effective in inhibiting the pathogen under in vitro studies. Among the different treatments evaluated, seed treatment with (pyraclostrobin 5% + thiophanate methyl 45%) @ 2 ml/kg seed followed by spray with (tebuconazole 50% + trifloxystrobin 25%) @ 0.05% at 55 and 75 days after sowing (DAS) recorded the least disease severity of 2.23 percent with higher seed yield (17.20 q/ha) and test weight (17.41 g) as compared to untreated check which recorded disease severity of 27.50 percent. Apart from the target disease, other diseases like rust, anthracnose and Alternaria leaf spot were also take care in the same treatment. Use of fungicides for the management of disease in the absence of resistant genotypes is an old practice and it is one of the best options when there is outbreak.