Integrated Disease Management of Gummy Stem Blight in Bottle Gourd

Abstract

Gummy stem blight, caused by Didymella bryoniae is a major constraint in bottle gourd production, leading to significant yield losses. The present study was conducted at the Vegetable Research Station, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad, during 2021-22, 2022-23, and 2023-24 to evaluate integrated disease management (IDM) approaches for effective control of the disease. Seven treatments involving fungicidal seed treatment, soil drenching, foliar fungicide application, micronutrients, and biological agents were tested under a randomized block design. Results revealed that Treatment 3 (T3) seed treatment with carbendazim 50% @ 2.5 g/kg seed + micronutrients @ 5 kg/ha at earthing + foliar sprays of azoxystrobin 4.8% + chlorothalonil 40% SC @0.25% consistently recorded the lowest disease severity (pooled mean: 10.91%) and the highest marketable yield (30.35 t/ha) with the maximum benefit cost ratio (2.78). The study concludes that T3 is the most effective IDM module for managing gummy stem blight in bottle gourd under field conditions.