SCHEDULING FUNGICIDE APPLICATIONS FOR ECONOMIC MANAGEMENT OF LATE LIGHT USING INDO-BLIGHTCAST MODEL

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Appearance of late blight and its subsequent build-up and spread depends on several factors but weather conditions have a direct effect on P. infestans. The use of precision farming technology improves potato farming efficiency and reduces the environmental impact of input usage. In this study, potential application of Indo-Blightcast model for late blight management was compared with traditional late blight management strategy. Experiments with three sets of treatments were laid out at ICAR-CPRI, Shimla for scheduling fungicide application for management of late blight using Indo-Blightcast model during 2017-2019 crop seasons. In first set of treatments, spraying of fungicides was initiated after 50 days of planting and thereafter at weekly intervals (calendar based). In another set of treatments, fungicides were sprayed as per prediction by Indo-Blightcast model. Third set of treatments was maintained as control i.e. unsprayed. Mancozeb (@ 0.25%) was sprayed prophylactically and at onset of disease, translaminar/systemic fungicides (cymoxanil + mancozeb @ 0.3% or dimethormorph @ 0.1%) were applied. Though there were no significant differences in terminal late blight severity in first and second set of treatments, 22.2 to 44.4 % reduction in fungicide use was achieved in scheduling fungicides as per Indo-Blightcast. This indicates that growers could reduce fungicide and energy use by timing fungicide applications. This system could potentially increase farm net returns and reduce risks.