Effect of Spacing and dosage of Nitrogen against the Maydis Leaf Blight Disease of Maize

Abstract

Maize is one of the most important cereal crops in the world. It belongs to family, "Poaceae". It has wider adaptability under different agro-climatic conditions. Its productivity per unit area is very high, so it is called “queen of cereals” globally. Though, Crop has high food and economic value, its production is limited by many constraints including the diseases also. Maydis leaf blight (MLB) is found almost everywhere maize is grown. It is caused by fungus Helminthosporium maydis. This disease is highly destructive in hot, humid and tropical climates of the world. In present investigation field trial was conducted to evaluate the effect of Spacing and Nitrogen dosages thereby managing the disease. The layout of this field experiment was in split plot design and conducted for the year 2019 and 2020 Kharif comprising of spacing: 45x20 cm, 60x20 cm and 75x20 cm and nitrogen dosages: 120, 160, 200 and 240 kg/ha as treatment with three replications. Results show that during 2019, the lowest PDI was obtained with the spacing of S3 (75x20 cm), which was significantly superior to all the spacing thereby reducing disease severity. The PDI was significantly influenced by nitrogen levels too. Lowest PDI (54.06 %) was obtained with the N3 (200 kg/ha), significantly superior to N2 and N1 levels of nitrogen fertilizer. There was also a significant interaction between spacing and nitrogen levels. Similar results were obtained during 2020 and for pool data that has also been calculated for the year Kharif 2019-2020. During the year, 2019 and 2020 grain yield was significantly influenced by spacing and nitrogen level too but the interaction was not significant.