Sure, here is an article on fungus control information for groundnut crops:
Groundnut crops are susceptible to several fungal diseases, which can cause significant yield losses and affect the quality of the harvested nuts. Therefore, it is essential to manage these diseases with effective control measures. In this article, we will discuss some of the most common fungal diseases of groundnut crops and the strategies to control them.
1. Early leaf spot: Early leaf spot is caused by the fungus Cercospora arachidicola and is characterized by small, circular spots on the lower leaves of the plant. As the disease progresses, the spots become larger and more numerous, leading to defoliation and reduced nut size and quality. To control early leaf spot, farmers should implement cultural practices such as crop rotation and use of resistant cultivars. Additionally, foliar fungicides can be used for effective control.
2. Late leaf spot: Late leaf spot is caused by the fungus Phaeoisariopsis personata and affects the upper leaves of the plant. It is characterized by large, brown spots with purple margins that often merge, causing severe defoliation, reduced yield, and poor quality nuts. Similar to early leaf spot, cultural practices in combination with fungicides can be used to manage late leaf spot.
3. Rust: Rust is caused by the fungus Puccinia arachidis and is characterized by rust-colored pustules on the leaves, stems, and pods of the plant. It can cause severe yield losses due to defoliation and reduced photosynthesis. Natural fungicides such as neem oil can be used to control rust, and cultural practices such as planting resistant cultivars and crop rotation can also be implemented.
4. Aspergillus flavus: Aspergillus flavus is a fungus that produces the carcinogenic toxin aflatoxin in groundnut crops. It is often associated with poor storage practices and can lead to significant losses in the market value of the crop. To manage Aspergillus flavus, farmers should implement strict harvesting and storage practices, as well as use of fungicides as a preventative measure.
In conclusion, managing fungal diseases in groundnut crops requires a combination of cultural practices and fungicide use. Farmers should know the symptoms and biology of the most common fungal diseases to make informed decisions regarding their management strategies. With proper control measures, groundnut crops can yield high-quality nuts with reduced losses due to fungal diseases.