Laboratory and screenhouse evaluation of fungicides for the control of brown blotch of cowpea

Alabi, O.; Emechebe, A. M.; Tyagi, P. D.

Eleven fungicides, namely, Benlate, Delsene M, Aldrex T, Fernasan D, Verdasan, Ceresan, Dithane M-45 Macuprax, Panoctine, Vitavax 75WP and Vitavax 200 were evaluated in the laboratory and screenhouse for the control of brown blotch of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.) induced by Colletotrichum capsici. Laboratory evaluation revealed that Benlate, Delsene M. Aldrex T, and Fernasan D prevented growth of the fungus at all concentrations tested. On the other hand, only relatively high doses of Macuprax and Panoctine inhibited the growth of the fungus. The fungitoxicity of the other chemicals was intermediate between these two extremes. In screenhouse studies, Benlate and Delsene M were the most effective of all the fungicides tested for control of the disease. The 'soak' method of seed treatment gave better disease control than other methods.