Collar and root rot of aibika (Abelmoschus manihot) II. Effect of pre-planting treatment with fungicides.

Abstract

Pre-planting treatment in the field of aibika (Abelmoschus manihot (Linnaeus) Medicus) cuttings with protectant copper fungicides, Bordeaux paste and Cuprox (copper oxychloride) paste controlled the collar and root rot disease caused by Phytophthora nicotianae var nicotianae B. de Haan. There was a significant increase in shoot numbers and usable shoot weight. Ridomil 25 WP (metalaxyl), a systemic fungicide paste, controlled the disease but drastically affected the root formation, reduced vegetative growth and produced phytotoxic symptoms on the foliage at the rate used in this study. In Bordeaux paste treated plants root formation was profuse and the dry root weight was greater than for Cuprox paste or Ridomil 25 WP.