FIELD-EVALUATION OF FUNGICIDES FOR RICE SHEATH BLIGHT CONTROL

Fourteen systemic and nonsystemic fungicides and two antibiotics were evaluated for the control of sheath blight of rice caused by Rhizocton ia solani Khun, as foliar spray on inoculated plants in the field. Nin e chemicals were found effective in at least two trials out of four co nducted during the Aus and T. Aman seasons. Among them Benlate or Fund azol (50% Benomy 1), Topsin-M (70% thiophanate methyl), and Homai (50% thiophanate methyl + 20% thiram) were consistent in their effectivene ss at 2.25 kg/ha sprayed either once at boot or twice at panicle initi ation and boot stages. They were also effective under farmers' field c ondition. The results suggest that the disease can be managed by a sin gle foliar spray with any one of the above three fungicides at boot st age or after the symptom appearance.