Metalaxyl and Mancozeb— An efficient combination to control soft rot in ginger

Abstract

Soft rot is also referred to as Pythium rot or rhizome rot in scientific literature incited by Pythium aphanidermatum. The disease is more destructive in all the ginger growing countries across the world as well as India. In present context, the performance of fungicide, Metalaxyl and Mancozeb was evaluated alone and as combined product at different concentration for the control of soft rot ginger. Two experiments were realized in the growing season 2019 and 2020 after disease severity was evaluated for the soft rot disease. The experimental design was a randomized block with three replications. The combined formulation of Metalaxyl and Mancozeb (8% + 64% WP) was evaluated at three doses viz., 2, 3 and 4 ml/lit. All the three concentrations reduced the disease severity and provided an increase productivity as compared with treatment without fungicide. Sole application of Metalaxyl 35% WS and Mancozeb 75% WP was found less effective as compared to combined formulation. The addition of protective fungicides contributed to less disease severity and increased productivity. Under the above circumstances an attempt was made to identify a suitable fungicide for control the soft rot of ginger in present scenario.