J. Hortl. Sci.

Vol. 8(1):121-124, 2013

Short communication

Evaluation of fungicides against leaf blotch of turmeric

caused by Taphrina maculans Butler

S. Narasimha Rao and K. Ravinder Kumar1

Dr. Y.S.R. Horticultural University
Horticultural Research Station, Darsi -523247, India
E-mail : varsha.snrao@gmail.com

ABSTRACT
A field experiment was conducted in the first fortnight of July 2008, 2009 and 2010 at Horticultural Research
Station, Jagtial, and in 2010-2011 at Turmeric Research Station, Kammarpally, to evaluate various fungicides against
leaf blotch of turmeric. Treatments included the fungicides Propiconazole (0.1%), Hexaconazole (0.1%), Tricyclazole
(0.1%) and Carbendazim + Mancozeb (0.1%) for rhizome treatment (dipping) and for foliar spray at 45 and 90 days
after planting (DAP); and foliar application alone at 45 and 90 DAP. Among the treatments, rhizome treatment with
Carbendazim + Mancozeb (0.1%) gave the best germination (90.52%); Rhizome treatment followed by foliar
application of Carbendazim + Mancozeb (0.1%) at 45 and 90 DAP significantly reduced disease incidence of turmeric
leaf blotch (16.13%) and enhanced fresh-rhizome yield (18.30t ha-1) compared to other fungicide applications. High
cost-benefit ratio was achieved with rhizome treatment, followed by foliar application of Carbendazim + Mancozeb at
45 and 90 DAP (1:1.92).
Key words: Turmeric, leaf blotch, fungicides

Turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) is one of the important and leaf blotch caused by Taphrina maculans Butler.
spice crops of India with good export potential. Underground Taphrina leaf blotch appears late in the season, usually on
rhizomes of turmeric are rich in curcumin and used for the lower leaves in October-November. Severe outbreak
medicinal, religious and culinary purposes. These are also of this disease was reported from Rayalaseema area of
as a cosmetic and dye (Shah, 1997). Essential oil of turmeric Andhra Pradesh (Sarma and Dakshinsmurthy, 1962). Yield
is antiseptic and is used in treating gall stones (Pruthi, 1976). losses were 37.6 to 52.9% due to This fungus (Panja et al,
Curcumin and oleoresin help lower total cholesterol in blood 2000). The pathogen can infect only a few cultivars, which
serum (Manjunatha and Srinivasa, 2008). are totally resistant to other foliar disease caused by C.
capsisi (Reddy et al, 1963). Area under susceptible cultivars
India is the largest producer, consumer and exporter
of turmeric is increasing because of the cultivar’s high
of turmeric in the world. Over 1.58 lakh tonne of cured
curcumin content. Nirwan et al (1974) and Srivastava and
turmeric is produced annually, of which 92-95 % is consumed
Gupta (1977) reported that dithiocarbamates, copper
within the country. The remaining 5-8% is exported, earning
oxychloride and Carbendazim were effective in controlling
foreign exchange of 40-110 million rupees per annum
leaf blotch in turmeric. Mehdi et al (1994) reported that
(Selvan, 2009). In India, turmeric crop is cultivated in an
Bitertenol and Tridemorph reduced leaf curl infection in
area of 1.81 lakh ha with a total production of 7.93 lakh
peach. Prasadji et al (2004) reported that Propiconazile,
tonne (Anonymous, 2010). Andhra Pradesh stood first both
Bitertenol and Chlorothalonil were effective in reducing leaf
in area (73,930 ha) and production (3.75 lakh t) in 2010-11,
blotch disease in turmeric. However, very limited effort was
covering to 40% of area under turmeric in India (Anonymous,
made to develop a management strategy with new systemic
2010). Within Andhra Pradesh, Northern Telangana zone is
fungicides. Hence, the present field trial was conducted for
a major turmeric growing area contributing over 50% of
managing leaf blotch disease in turmeric using new systemic
the state’s production. The most important foliar diseases
fungicides.
on turmeric reported so far in Andhra Pradesh are leaf spot
caused by Collectotrichum capsici [(Syd.) Butler & Bisby] Field experiments were conducted during the first

1
Horticultural Research Station, Chintapalli, Dr. YSRHU, Andhra Pradesh, India
 Narasimha Rao and Ravinder Kumar

fortnight of July 2008, 2009 and 2010 at Horticultural 0-6 disease rating scale as suggested by Nambiar et al
Research Station, Jagtial, and in 2010-2011 at Turmeric (1977). Per cent Disease Index (PDI) and Per cent Disease
Research Station, Kammarpally, Andhra Pradesh, in shallow, Control (PDC) were worked out in each treatment using
red chalky soils for three years with the leaf blotch the following formulae:
susceptible cultivar CLI-317. Field trials were laid out with Sum of all disease
nine treatments and three replications in Randomized Block ratings
Design. Forty rhizomes were planted on raised beds of 3x1 Per cent Disease Index (PDI) = X 100
m size at a spacing of 30 x 15cm. Nitrogen, phosphorus and Total No. of observations X
potassium were applied @ 190kg, 75kg and 120kg per Maximum grade
hectare in the form of urea, single super phosphate and
muriate of potash, respectively, as per recommendations of Disease in Control —
the ANGR Agricultural University, Hyderabad. Nitrogen was Disease in Treatment
applied in four equal split doses, viz., at sowing, 40, 80 and Per cent Disease Control (PDC) = X100
120 Days After Planting (DAP). Potassium was applied in Disease in Control
two split doses, viz., at sowing and 80 DAP. All of the Cost benefit ratio was calculated for all the
phosphorus, the first dose of nitrogen and potassium were treatments. Data was subjected to statistical analysis.
applied by broadcast at the time of sowing. Remaining doses
of nitrogen and potassium were applied by the pocket All fungicidal treatments showed significantly superior
method. The experimental plot was irrigated by flood effect over Control for germination, per cent disease
irrigation at intervals of 10-15 days. Weeding was done at incidence and yield. Disease intensity varied from 14.6 to
20, 40, 80 and 120 days after planting. Fungicides such as 39.1% during the three years of study.
Propiconazole (0.1%), Hexaconazole (0.1 %), Tricyclazole Pooled analysis of the trial starting from 2008-09 and
(0.1%) and Carbendazim+Mancozeb (0.1%) were applied up to 2010-11 was worked out and results are presented in
separately by dipping rhizomes in the fungicide solution Table 2. Results indicated that (i) rhizome treatment, followed
before planting, followed by foliar application at 45 and 90 by foliar application of Carbendazim + Mancozeb at 45 and
DAP, and foliar spray at 45 and 90 DAP alone. Sticker, 90 DAP; (ii) rhizome treatment, followed by foliar
APSA 80 @0.1%, was mixed with the spray fluid for foliar application of Propiconazole at 45 and 90 DAP; (iii) foliar
application. application of Carbendazim + Mancozeb at 45 and 90 DAP,
Treatment details of rhizome and foliar application and (iv) rhizome treatment, followed by foliar application
are furnished in Table 1.The first spray was applied at 45 of Hexaconazole at 45 and 90 DAP, were at par with each
DAP, and the second at 90 DAP. Observation on other (with corresponding per cent disease incidence of
germination was recorded at 30 DAP, disease incidence 16.13%, 17.68%, 18.83% and 19.54%, respectively). These
was recorded 20 days after the last spray, i.e., 110 DAP on treatments were significantly superior over other fungicidal
10 randomly selected plants in each replication following a treatments. Highest fresh-rhizome yield was achieved in
rhizome treatment, followed by foliar application of
Table 1. Treatment details Carbendazim + Mancozeb at 45 and 90 DAP (18.3t ha-1).
T1 Dipping rhizomes in Hexaconazole (0.1%), followed by foliar Rhizome treatment, followed by foliar application of
spray of Hexaconazole (0.1%) at 45 and 90 DAP Propiconazole at 45 and 90 DAP; rhizome treatment,
T2 Dipping rhizomes in Propiconazole (0.1%), followed by foliar followed by foliar application of Hexaconazole at 45 and 90
spray of Propiconazole (0.1%) at 45 and 90 DAP
T3 Dipping rhizomes in Tricyclozole (0.1%), followed by foliar DAP, and foliar application of Hexaconazole at 45 and 90
spray of Tricyclozole (0.1%) at 45 and 90 DAP DAP, recorded 17.13t ha -1, 16.98t ha -1and 16.02t ha -1,
T4 Dipping rhizomes in Carbedazim + Mancozeb (0.1%), respectively. These were the next best treatments for
followed by foliar spray of Carbedazim + Mancozeb (0.1%) obtaining maximum yields. Control plots recorded a disease
at 45 and 90 DAP
T5 Foliar spray of Hexaconazole (0.1%) at 45 and 90 DAP incidence of 31.21%, with yield of 13.39t ha-1. Results of
T6 Foliar spray of Propiconazole (0.1%) at 45 and 90 DAP this study on foliar application of Propiconazole and
T7 Foliar spray of Tricyclozole (0.1%) at 45 and 90 DAP Carbendazim + Mancozeb are in agreement with those in
T8 Foliar spray of Carbedazim + Mancozeb (0.1%) at 45 earlier studies ( Prasadji et al, 2004; Singh et al, 2003;
and 90 DAP
T9 Control Srivastava and Gupta, 1977).

J. Hortl. Sci.
Vol. 8(1):121-124, 2013 122
 Evaluation of fungicides against leaf blotch of turmeric

Table 2. Effect of fungicides on management of leaf blotch in turmeric (pooled analysis 2008-11)
Treatment Per cent Leaf blotch Yield % increase Benefit
germination incidence (t/ha) over costratio
PDI PDC control
T1- Dipping rhizomes in 87.27 (69.12)* 19.54 (26.21)* 37.39 (37.70)* 16.98 26.81 1:1.79
Hexaconazole (0.1%) + Foliar spray of
Hexaconazole (0.1%) at 45 and 90 DAP
T2- Dipping rhizomes in 88.98 (70.54) 17.68 (24.88) 43.35 (41.45) 17.13 27.93 1:1.81
Propiconazole (0.1%) + Foliar spray of
Propiconazole (0.1%) at 45 and 90 DAP
T3- Dipping of Rhizomes in 86.36 (68.28) 21.68 (27.69) 30.85 (33.71) 15.56 16.21 1:1.65
Tricyclazole (0.1%) + Foliar spray of
Tricyclozole (0.1%) at 45 and 90 DAP
T4- Dipping Rhizomes in 90.52 (72.05) 16.13 (23.66) 48.32 (44.03) 18.30 36.67 1:1.92
Carbedazim + Mancozeb (0.1%) +
Foliar spray of Carbedazim + Mancozeb
(0.1%) at 45 and 90 DAP
T5- Foliar spray of Hexaconazole 84.89 (67.13) 21.24 (27.42) 31.94 (35.00) 16.02 19.64 1:1.74
(0.1%) at 45 and 90 DAP
T6- Foliar spray of Propiconazole 87.38 (69.21) 20.71 (27.06) 33.64 (35.43) 15.69 17.17 1:1.71
(0.1%) at 45 and 90 DAP
T7- Foliar spray of Tricyclozole 85.95 (67.94) 24.11 (29.40) 22.75 (28.45) 15.12 12.92 1:1.65
(0.1%) at 45 and 90 DAP
T8- Foliar spray of Carbedazim + 86.36 (68.28) 18.86 (25.70) 39.67 (39.00) 15.70 17.25 1:1.71
Mancozeb (0.1%) at 45 and 90 DAP
T9- Control 81.87 (64.75) 31.21 (33.96) 0.00 13.39 1:.1.52
S.Em+ 1.34 0.877 0.37
CD (P=0.05) 3.98 5.060 1.14
*Figures in the parentheses are arc sine transformed values
DAP=Days After Planting; PDI= Per cent Disease Index; PDC= Per cent Disease Control

Economics for each fungicide was calculated based Statistics, Ministry of Agriculture, Krishi Bhavan, New
on mean yield from pooled analysis. All the treatments were Delhi, p 861
economically beneficial over the Control. Rhizome Manjunatha, H. and Srinivasan, S. 2008. Hypolipidemic and
treatment+foliar application with Carbendazim+Mancozeb antioxidant potency of heat processed turmeric and
(0.1%) gave the best economic returns (1:1.92) among the red pepper in experimental rats. African J. Food
fungicides tested (Table 2), followed by rhizome Sci., 2:1-6
treatment+foliar application of Propiconazole (1:1.81). Mehdi Asmat Shah, A.M. and Mehdi, A. 1994. Efficacy of
fungicides in controlling peach leaf curl disease.
Based on the three years’ study, it is concluded that
Indian Phytopath., 47:427-429
treatment of rhizome with Carbendazim + Mancozeb (0.1%),
Nambiar, K.K.N., Sarama,Y.R. and Brahma, R.N. 1977.
followed by foliar application of Propiconazole (0.1%) at
Field reaction of turmeric types (Curcuma longa,
45 DAP, and foliar spray of Carbendazim + Mancozeb
Curcuma aromatica) to leaf blotch disease (caused
(0.1%) at 90 DAP were effective in managing leaf blotch
by Taphrina maculans). J. Plantn. Crops., 5:124
and increasing yield in turmeric.
Nirwan, R.S., Ram, G. and Upadhyay. 1974. Chemical
REFERENCES control of turmeric leaf spot incited by Taphrina
maculans Butler. Hort. Advances, 9:47-48
Anonymous. 2010. Statement showing the All-India Area,
Panja, B.N., De, D.K. and Mazumdar, D. 2002. Assessment
Production and Yield of turmeric, chillies and
of yield losses in turmeric genotype due to leaf blotch
coriander, Department of Agriculture and Cooperation
disease (Taphrina maculans Butler) from Tarai
(Horticulture Division). Table-5.10
Anonymous. 2010. Statement showing the State/Spice wise region of West Bengal. Pl. Prot. Bull., 52:13-14
Area and Production of Spices. Agricultural situation Prasadji, J.K., Murthy, K.V.M.K., Rama Pandu, S. and
in India. Published by Directorate of Economics and Muralidharan. K. 2004. Management of Taphrina

J. Hortl. Sci.
Vol. 8(1):121-124, 2013 123
 Narasimha Rao and Ravinder Kumar

maculans incited leaf blotch of turmeric. J. Mycol. Scenario. National workshop on spices and aromatic
Pl. Pathol., 34:446-449 plants, 4-5 Feb 2009, PAU, Ludhiana, Punjab, India
Pruthi, J.S. 1976. Spices and condiments. National Book Shah, N.C. 1997. Traditional uses of turmeric (Curcuma
Trust, New Delhi. pp 223-227 longa L.) in India. J. Med. Arom. Pl. Sci., 19:948-
Reddy, G.S., Dakshinamuthi, V. and Sarma, S.S. 1963. Note 954
on varietal resistance against leaf spot diseases in Singh, A., Basandrai, A.K. and Sharma, B.K. 2003.
turmeric. Andhra Agril. J., 10:146-148 Fungicidal management of Taphrina leaf spot of
Sarma, S.S. and Dakshinamurthy, D. 1962. Varietal turmeric. Indian Phytopath., 56:119-120
resistance against leaf spot disease of turmeric. Srivastava, V.P. and Gupta, J.H. 1977. Fungicidal control
Andhra Agril. J., 9:61-64 of turmeric leaf spot incited by Taphrina maculans.
Selvan, M.T. 2009. Spices and aromatic crops - Indian Indian J. Mycol. Pl. Pathol., 7:76-77

(MS Received 17 September 2011, Accepted 08 October 2012, Revised 13 November 2012)

J. Hortl. Sci.
Vol. 8(1):121-124, 2013 124