Vol. 12, Issue 3 (2023)

Author(s):
Shadab M Khatib, K Karuna, Dattatreya and Veena S Anil

Abstract:
Alternaria leaf blight of sunflower has been considered as a potentially destructive disease. Due to cons of using chemical pesticides, in this current study we are using eco-friendly approach such as compost tea and seaweed formulation for the control of Alternaria disease. Compost tea is a liquid extract made from compost that contains a variety of nutrients, growth compounds and beneficial microorganisms. The microrganisms present in the compost tea produce biomolecules with antibiosis potential which contributes to disease suppression. Foliar spray of compost tea (1:10) @ 30, 45 DAS and propiconazole @ 1 mlL-1 at 60 DAS showed increased defense enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (39.47 µg/50 per cent inhibition) and peroxidase (16.86 µg/min/mg protein) when compared to superoxide dismutase (59.37 µg/50 per cent inhibition) and peroxidase (10.76 µg/min/mg protein) in control plants. Secondary metabolites such as phenolics (67.92 mg/g FW) and flavonoids (60.01 mg/g FW) was maximum in foliar spray of compost tea (1:10) @ 30, 45 DAS and propiconazole @ 1 mlL-1 at 60 DAS when compared to phenolics (57.48 mg/g FW) and flavonoids (41.87 mg/g FW) in control plants. This study demonstrated that foliar spray of compost tea and propiconazole can be used effectively for the management of Alternaria blight in fields as it exhibited more defense enzyme activity and increased growth and yield parameters.