THE EFFECTS OF FUNGICIDES AND BIOAGENTS ON RUST(UROMYCES SETARIA) DISEASE MANAGEMENT IN FOXTAILMILLETS. Saralamma, R. Narasimhulu, M. Jostnakiranmayi and C.V.C.M. ReddyAbstract Rust disease caused by Uromyces Setaria is a serious airborne disease of foxtail millet that causes a considerablereduction in grain yield under severe infection. An attempt was made to manage the rust disease usingfungicides, natural formulations and bioagents under field conditions. The present investigation wasundertaken at the Regional Agricultural Research Station (ANGRAU), Nandyal, Andhra Pradesh, India toevaluate different fungicides (six), natural formulations (two) and bioagent (one)for effective managementof rust disease for three consecutive rabi seasons during 2018-19, 2019-20 and 2020-21. The experimentalresults indicated that the least percent disease index of 7.9 per cent was recorded with Hexaconazole (0.2%)and mean grain yield (1,585 kg/ha) with a 46.25 percent improvement in grain yield when compared withuntreated control over three years of data. It was followed by 8.0 percent disease control achieved incontinuous spray with Mancozeb at 10 days interval starting 30 days after sowing, which resulted in a46.25 percent increase in grain yield (1,585 kg/ha) and Difenoconazole 25EC (Score @ 0.1 percent) with apercent disease index of 9.03 per cent and a 46.82 percent increase in grain yield (1,602 kg/ha). The naturalformulations and bioagent has shown to be least effective in controlling rust disease compared to chemicalfungicides, Among these, Neem seed Kernel Extract (5%) was found to be better with PDI of 25.1% comparedother two treatments (Butter milk + Asafoetida and Pseudomonas fluorescens @10g/l. Two fungicides, i.eDifenoconazole and Hexaconazole were proven to be successful in reducing rust and offering marginalfarmers in a cost-effective mode.The findings could aid in the development of rust management strategiesin India, such as fungicide rotation and strategic fungicide treatment. |