Evaluation of Fungicides and Biocontrol Agents against Neopestalotiopsis clavispora Causing Leaf Blight of Strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa Duch.)

A leaf blight disease caused by Neopestalotiopsis clavispora is a major problem in various strawberry growing areas causing mild to severe damage to plants. The present investigation was carried out to find out an effective management strategy against the disease using fungicides and biocontrol agents. Among the nine fungicides tested in vitro, carbendazim 12% + mancozeb 63% (Saaf), cymoxanil 8% + mancozeb 64% (Curzate M8), copper hydroxide 77WP (Kocide), copper oxychloride 50WP (Fytolan), propineb 70WP (Antracol) and Bordeaux Mixture showed cent per cent inhibition of the fungus. Bioagents viz., Trichoderma asperellum and Pseudomonas fluorescens exhibited an inhibition of 66.67 and 56.67 per cent respectively. Under in vivo conditions, fungicides like propineb 70WP (Antracol), carbendazim 12% + mancozeb 63% (Saaf) and the bioagent, T. asperellum showed more than 74 per cent reduction in disease over control.