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Plant Science Today (PST)

Research Articles

Vol. 13 No. sp2 (2026): Recent Advances in Agriculture

Management of pokkah boeng disease of maize caused by Fusarium verticillioides

DOI
https://doi.org/10.14719/pst.13244
Submitted
17 December 2025
Published
12-05-2026

Abstract

Pokkah boeng, caused by Fusarium verticillioides, is a major constraint in maize production. Field experiments were conducted during kharif and rabi 2024 at the Main Agricultural Research Station (MARS), Dharwad and during kharif 2024 at the Agricultural Research Station (ARS), Sankeshwar, to evaluate fifteen fungicidal treatments for disease management and yield improvement. Disease incidence, severity and yield traits were recorded and data were arc-sine transformed before statistical analysis. Significant differences were observed among treatments across locations. The combination fungicide (Carbendazim 12 % + Mancozeb 63 % WP) (SAAF) consistently recorded the lowest pooled disease incidence (19.65 %) and severity (13.53 %) and the highest grain yield (64.17 q/ha), outperforming the untreated check (34.82 % and 33.90 %; 50.32 q/ha). Carbendazim 50 % WP ranked second in efficacy, with incidence of 21.12 %, severity of 16.58 % and yield of 62.82 q/ha. Yield-contributing traits, including 100-seed weight, cob length, cob girth and shelling percentage, were significantly improved in the superior treatments. Consistent trends across locations and pooled analysis confirmed the stability of these treatments. The results indicate that (Carbendazim 12 % + Mancozeb 63 % WP) and Carbendazim 50 % WP are effective and reliable options for managing pokkah boeng disease under northern Karnataka conditions.

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