EFFECT OF FOLIAR APPLICATION OF MONOCROTOPHOS ON THE EAR-COCKLE DISEASE ON WHEAT

Abstract

Wheat cvs viz. RR-21, HD-2258, HUW-234, UP-262, WH-283 and Lokone, inoculated with 20,000 juveniles of Anguina tritici/kg soil, developed crinkling and rolling of leaves and exhibited significant suppression of dry weight of plants and number and weight of grains/plant in a field trial. Two cvs (WH-283 and HUW-234) produced greater number of ears in the presence of the nematode but their yields were significantly decreased. All the cvs produced cockles which ranged from 17 (HUW-234) to 26 (RR-21)/plant. Foliar application of monocrotophos at 1kg/ha on one month old plants led to recovery from nematode attack, and subsequently yield of all the cvs was improved satisfactorily. Cockle formation was greatly suppressed and in cvs RR-21 and HUW-234, no cockles were recorded.