Effect of Pseudomonas fluorescens and Botanicals against Tikka Leaf Spot Disease (Cercospora arachidicola, Cercospora personatum) of Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.)

Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) is an important oilseed crop in India. It is susceptible from many diseases, tikka disease is one of them. Tikka disease is due to Cercospora arachidicola, Cercospora personatum causes much damage to production and pod quality. A survey was conducted during Rabi 2020-21 to know the incidence of Tikka disease of groundnut in farmer’s fields in Visakhapatnam district of Andhra Pradesh. Five villages were selected in the district and in each village two fields were surveyed. The disease incidence ranged from 29 to 50 per cent irrespective of location surveyed. The disease incidence was least in Taruva village (29%) and highest in Alamanda village (50%) during the month of January to March 2021. To manage the disease an investigation was carried out in farmer’s field during Rabi 2020-21 in Taruva village, Devarapalle mandal, Visakhapatnam district of Andhra Pradesh to evaluate the efficacy of Bio-agent viz.., Pseudomonas fluorescens (S.T), Botanicals viz.., Extract and oil sprays of Neem, Eucalyptus, Clove. Among the treatments the plant height (cm), No. of branches, Root length and Pods per plant at 90 DAS was significantly increased in T3 – S.T with Pseudomonas fluorescens + neem oil (F.S) (42.8 cm), (6.2), (9.72), (28.51) respectively. The Disease incidence (%) at 90 DAS was significantly decreased in treatment T3 - S.T with Pseudomonas fluorescens + neem oil (F.S) (15.5%). The Post parameters i.e., shoot length, Root length, Fresh weight and Dry weight at 90 DAS was significantly increased in T3 – S.T with Pseudomonas fluorescens + neem oil (F.S) (42.76 cm), (13.06 cm), (172 gms), (37.96 gms) respectively as compared to control T0.