EVALUATION OF G-696 FUNGICIDE FOR CONT ROLLING LOOSE SMUT OF WHEAT (TRITICUM-AESTIVUM) CAUSED BY USTILAGO-SEGETUM VAR TRITICI

A multi-location trial was conducted during 1986-92 to evaluate a new systemic fungicide 'G 696' (Provax) for controlling Loose smut of whea t (Triticum aestivum L. emend Fiori & Paol.) caused by Ustilago segetu m (Pers.) Roussel var tritici Jensen [= U. nude (Jens.) Rostr. var tri tici Schaf.]. The new fungicide was used as dry seed treatment, along with 2 recommended fungicides, viz carboxin and carbendazim. @ 02, 0.2 5 and 0.3%. G 696 @ 0.25 and 0.3% proved significantly superior in con trolling the disease (giving respectively 95 and 98% control) to the o ther treatments, except carboxin @ 0.3% which was on a par with it in effectiveness.