Early Blight of potato (Alternaria solani)-
Symptoms-
The infection appears on lower leaves with necrotic spots having concentric rings. The fungus survives in the soil in diseased plant debris. The collateral host is tomato. High moisture and low temperature are favourable for disease.
Control Measures-
1. Follow crop rotation
2. Collect and bum plant debris after harvesting
3. Start sprays the crop Dithane M-45 at 0.2 per cent 30 to 35 days after planting and repeat at 10 to 15 days interval
4. Grow early blight tolerant varieties such as Kufri Naveen, Kufri Sindhuri and Kufri Jeevan.
Apply irrigation to crop at this time.
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