Evaluation of different protectant and eradicant fungicides against early and late blight of potato caused by Alternaria solani (Ellis and Mart) Jones and Grout and Phytophthora infestans (Mont.) De bary under field conditions

Recommended doses (200-250 gm acre-1) of five protectant and eradicant fungicides viz Banko (Chlorothalonil) 500 Sc, Score (Difenoconazole) 250 Ec, AcrobatMZ 90/600 WP, Metalaxyl + Mancozeb) 72 WP and Ridomil Gold (Mancozeb + Metalaxyl) 68 WP were tested against early and late blight diseases development on ten potato advance lines/varieties sown in a randomized complete block design in the research area of a private farm at Chiniot. All the fungicides reduced disease severity on most of the lines/varieties significantly compared to untreated control. However the effect of Metalaxyl + Mancozeb (72 WP), Ridomil Gold (68WP), Score (250 EC) and Banko (500 Sc) was pronounced on tolerant or moderately resistant varieties/lines compared to moderately susceptible or susceptible varieties/lines. Genetic potential of such lines/varieties was greatly exploited by the application of these fungicides. Cultivation of resistant/moderately resistant varieties along with timely one or two sprays of these fungicides will be helpful to control these diseases.