Leaf stripping: an alternative strategy to manage banded leaf and sheath blight of maize

Banded leaf and sheath blight disease caused by Rhizoctonia solani f. sp. sasakii is a major constraint of Kharif maize. Wide host range of pathogen, its ability to survive as sclerotia under adverse environmental conditions and lack of resistant sources are some of the bottlenecks in its management. To reduce our dependence on chemicals, experiment was conducted at five hot-spots in India viz., Ludhiana (PAU and Ladhowal), Delhi, Karnal and Pantnagar centres to study the effect of leaf stripping method on disease severity and yield parameters of present day maize hybrids of different maturity groups as well as speciality corn cultivars. Per cent disease control achieved with leaf stripping treatment in different cultivars varied from 16.66 to 54.76% being highest at PAU, Ludhiana centre and lowest at Pantnagar centre. Maximum percent increase in yield was observed at Delhi centre (28.37%) closely followed by PAU, Ludhiana centre (28.23%). Positive correlation (r) was observed between mean per cent disease control and mean percent increase in yield.