Vol. 11, Issue 12 (2022)

Author(s):
Babli, R. K. Pandya, Arvinder Kour and Sushma Tiwari

Abstract:
Rapeseed-mustard group of crops are moist important Rabi oilseed crops cultivated in Northern region of Madhya Pradesh. Indian mustard [Brassica juncea (L.) Czern and Coss] is the dominating crop occupying>80% share of the total area of rapeseed-mustard in the region. Alternaria leaf blight is one of the major diseases of rapeseed and mustard. This disease is caused by two species of Alternaria viz., A. brassicae (Berk.) Sacc. And A. brassicicola (Schw.) Wiltshire. The fungus Alternaria has wide host range and infects a variety of crops. The pathogen is greatly influenced by weather with the highest disease intensity reported in wet seasons and in areas with relatively high rainfall. A. blight can affect host species at all stages of growth, including seed. Symptoms of the disease are characterized by formation of spots and blight on leaves, stem and siliquae. In 2020-21, the occurrence of Alternaria brassicae and Alternaria brassicicola in Morena, Bhind and Gwalior was 79.33% of Alternaria brassicae. While the occurrence of Alternaria brassicicola was 20.66%. Similarly, in 2021-22 the occurrence the Alternaria brassicae and Alternaria brassicicola in Morena, Bhind and Gwalior was 75.33% of Alternaria brassicae while the remaining 24.66 percent samples were infected by Alternaria brassicicola.