Abstract

Maize is the world's leading crop and is widely cultivated as a cereal grain, it is the only food cereal crop that can be grown in diverse seasons, ecologies and uses. Maize yields in Pakistan are very poor due to insect pests and diseases. Among them, the stalk rot of maize caused by Fusarium moniliforme is very important. Keeping in view the huge losses caused by the disease, the present study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of selected fungicides against the disease development under field conditions and on the plant growth and yield parameters. A total of six fungicides were used such as Scoure, Plyrem, Topguard, Ridomil, Fenatac M, and Cobox with three different concentrations i.e., (50, 100 and 200 ppm). The effect on disease incidence, growth and yield parameters such as plant height, root length, root weight, leaf weight per plant, grain weight, and biological yield (t acre-1) were recorded. The results showed that all applied fungicides significantly affect against stalk rot of maize caused by F. moniliforme. The maximum plant height, root length, root weight, leaf weight per plant, grain weight and biological yield (t acre-1) was noted under Ridomil and Scoure fungicides, followed by Topguard, Cobox, Plyrem and Fenatac M. Whereas, the minimum plant height, root length, root weight, leaf weight per plant, grain weight, and biological yield (t acre-1) was observed under control plants where no fungicides were applied.

Keywords: Fungicide, Evaluation, Fusarium moniliforme, Maize, Stalk rot.