An Integrated Approach to evaluate the efficacy of different fungicides, botanicals, bioagents and their combinations under field conditions against Helminthosporiummaydis, the cause of Maydis Leaf Blight disease of Maize in Bihar

Maize (Zea mays) is a global staple food crop grown worldwide after wheat and rice adapted to several biotic and abiotic stresses. Maize is a tropical crop, but also adapted to temperate conditions. Maydis leaf blight (MLB), also known as Southern corn Leaf Blight (SCLB), is a serious foliar fungal disease may cause up to 40% grain yield loss. The disease is prevalent in almost all maize growing areas including Bihar and is a major limiting factor in increasing yield. Therefore, field studies were conducted to evaluate the efficacy of different fungicides, botanicals, bioagents and their combinations to effectively manage the disease under field conditions for two seasons Kharif 2019 and 2020. Three chemicals (Propiconazole 25% EC, Mancozeb 75% WP and Carbendazim 12% WP + Mancozeb 63% WP), one bioagent i.e. Trichoderma harzianum (10 g kg -1 seed) and two botanicals namely Azadirachtin (10%) and Lantana (10%) were tested alone and in combinations. Results on the application of different botanicals, fungicides, and bio-agent alone and in combinations, revealed that comparatively lower disease incidence (31.62 % and 30.59 %), disease index (31.85 % and 30.37 %) and minimum AUDPC (253.12 mm 2 and 255.76 mm 2 ) with maximum grain yield (54.60 q ha -1 and 52.52 q ha -1 ) and test weight (204.49 g and 206.62 g) was recorded in T5 (Carbendazim +Mancozeb, (SAAF) ST + Propiconazole spray) treated plots during 2019 and 2020, respectively. The identified sources of management can be used further in strengthening the plant protection in maize against the disease.