Effect of Planting Methods and Management Practices on Maydis Leaf Blight of Maize

Maydis leaf blight caused by Biopolaris maydis is highly destructive disease of maize crop worldwide including India. It causes the significant yield reduction ranging from 9.7 to 11.7% in maize crop, depending upon weather conditions. Maydis leaf blight is found in all tropical and temperate maize growing regions where the growing season is characterized by warm and wet conditions. Growing conditions creating such condition are most favourable for the development of the disease. An experiment was carried out by integrating planting methods likepaired row planting, ridge planting and flat planting along with different management approaches likechemical, biological and integrated for the management of maydis leaf blight of maize under tarai condition of Uttrakhand. Ridge planting and paired row planting methods as well as chemical control and integrated management practices were found equally good in minimizing disease severity but ridge planting and chemical control provided significantly higher yield over paired row planting and integrated management practices.