Early blight
Common Name
dry blight, leaf spots, damping off, collar rot
Scientific Name
Alternaria solani
Issue
Fungal
Causes
Warm and humid weather with heavy dues or rains. Periods of warm rainy weather. Infected plant residues. Infected seeds
Prevention
Cultural practices- use of clean seeds. Use of tolerant or resistant seeds. Crop rotation. Practising proper plant spacing and staking. water management. Soil management.
Control
Physical methods- hot water treatment of seeds. Biopesticides- use of copper fungicides in the market. Use of botanical fungicides such as- ( fermented mariold extract, onion bulb extract). Use of sulphur fungicide to prevent early blight [Thiovit(r)].