Anthracnose which is caused by Colletotrichum lagenarium, is a serious disease that can infect all the aerial parts and fruits of the pumpkin plant, resulting in significant crop loss. In this study, the effectiveness of three different forms of copper fungicides- Copper Oxychloride 50% WP, Copper Hydroxide and Bordeaux mixture were evaluated against anthracnose at 10, 25, 50, and 100 ppm concentrations. The poisoned food technique was adopted for the evaluation in vitro. The fungicide Copper Oxychloride 50% WP was found to be most effective in suppressing the mycelial growth by 72.10% at 100 ppm, compared to the control. Copper Oxychloride 50% WP was further evaluated in field conditions under six different spray schedules and was found effective in reducing the incidence and intensity of the disease to a varying extent. Application of 4 nos. of sprays at 10-day intervals could provide the highest protection of 77.80% against the disease with a maximum yield of 1.78 t/ha.

Anthracnose, Copper fungicides, Organic cultivation, Disease intensity, Bordeaux mixture, Copper oxychloride, Mancozeb

In conclusion, the anthracnose of pumpkin is one of the most important diseases of pumpkin caused by Colletotrichum lagenarium. Since, the National Center of Organic Farming, Department of Agriculture and Cooperation, Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India permits the use of copper fungicides in organic agriculture with a restriction of 8 kg/ha/year, copper fungicides can be used as an important tool for effective management of the disease in pumpkin cultivation under the organic situation. Hence, the use of copper fungicides at different concentrations and with an effective spray schedule has been attempted in the current study. The result of the present study concluded that 4 number sprays of Copper Oxychloride @0.25% at 10 day intervals is highly effective for the management of anthracnose in pumpkin under organic cultivation.

Rituraj Das, Jangila Hazowary, Mitul Kr. Saikia and Subhajit Khound (2023). Evaluation of Copper Fungicide in Anthracnose of Pumpkin under Organic Cultivation in Assam. Biological Forum – An International Journal, 15(12): 323-328.