Evaluation of fungicides against powdery mildew of wheat

Powdery mildew caused by Erysiphe gram in is DC. f.sp. tritici Em. Marchal appear in devastating form on wheat in the winter and reduces yield in Garhwal hills of Uttar Pradesh( I0). Bowen et al. (I) reported that the application of triadimefon protected the winter wheat crop from powdery mildew disease for several weeks after application. The foliar spray of Bayleton and Tilt provided good control of powdery mildew of pea (3,8). Rathore and Rathore (6) also indicated that Bayleton and sulphur dust, were most effective fungicides against powdery mildew of Fenugreek and significantly increased yield over control plots. Mathur et at. (5) also recorded that effectiveness of penconazole and triadimefon against rose powdery mildew with maximum yield. Information on incidence of powdery mildew of wheat on various cultivars and management of disease through different chemicals is lacking. Considering the losses in yield in wheat due to powdery mildew, some newer fungicides were evaluated under field conditions for three successive years against wheat powdery mildew in Garhwal himalayas.