Introduction to major field crops (1+1)

Diseases

Leaf Blight: Grow resistant maize cultivars such as Deccan, Deccan-103, Ganga-5, Deccan-101, VL-42 and Ganga-4.Use protective fungicides of Dithane M-45, Zineb @ 2.0-3.0kg/ha as soon as first symptoms of the disease appear at knee high stage of the crop growth.






Fig:: Leaf Blight.

Rust: Select resistant maize cultivars for planting in areas where rust becomes problem, e.g., hybrid Ganga-4.The severity of the disease during rabi season can be reduced by spraying Mancozeb or Zineb @ 2.5-3.0 kg/ha. The first spray should be given as soon as rust pustules appear on the foliage and then two or three more sprays at 10-15 days intervals.



Fig: Rust.

Downey Mildew: Resistant maize cultivars such as hybrids Ganga-5, Ganga-9, composites Kisan, Tarun, Naveen, Sweta, Kanchan and others offer the best means of control.Planting of maize at least a fortnight before the onset of rains reduces the incidenceand the disease becomes less if planting is done during dry season.Select well drained fields for maize planting, if this disease is problem in the area arrange proper drainage to drain out the excess rain water.The disease can be minimized by spraying the foliage with fungicides such as Mancozeb (0.3%). First spraying should be done about a month after planting or as soon as the disease symptoms are seen. Other 3-4 sprays should be done at 10-15 days intervals depending on severity of the disease.Burn the crop residue after the harvest.Practice three year crop rotation to minimize the initial inoculum load in the field.