Frogeye leaf spot (FLS), caused by the fungal pathogen Cercospora sojina K. Hara, is an economically important foliar disease of soybean (Glycine max L. Merr.) that threatens production in warm and humid growing regions worldwide. This review synthesizes current knowledge on the pathogen biology, disease epidemiology, economic impact, and management strategies, with a particular emphasis on research from India and international contexts. The pathogen exhibits high genetic diversity and race complexity, and the emergence of quinone outside inhibitor (QoI) fungicide resistance has complicated chemical control. Integrated disease management combining host resistance, cultural practices, and judicious fungicide use remains essential. Recent advances in genomics, molecular markers, and novel biocontrol agents offer promising tools for sustainable FLS management. This review highlights key research findings, identifies knowledge gaps, and discusses future directions for improving disease control in the face of evolving pathogen populations and changing climatic conditions.
A field experiment was conducted during Kharif 2024 at Pantnagar, Uttarakhand to assess the effect of various rice establishment methods and weed management strategies on weed ecology, crop growth, yield attributes, and the overall productivity of rice (Oryza sativa L.). The experiment followed a split-plot design with 3 establishment methods; transplanted rice (TPR), puddled direct seeding (WDSR) and un-puddled dry direct seeding (DDSR) in main plots and 4 weed management treatment; weedy check, mechanical weeding, chemical weeding and weed free in sub-plots. The findings revealed that DDSR recorded the highest weed density and biomass, which could be attributed to the lack of puddling and standing water conditions. In contrast, TPR was more effective in suppressing weed population, thereby achieving the lowest weed density, enhanced weed control efficiency (WCE) and superior yield performance. Among weed control methods, weed free was most effective, showing the lowest weed infestation and highest grain yield, followed by chemical weeding. TPR combined with weed free also recorded the highest net returns and B:C ratio (2.56). In contrast, weedy check plots showed maximum yield losses. The study concludes that TPR along with weed free treatment shows most efficient and profitable strategy.
A field experiment was conducted during Rabi season of 2022-2023 at Research Farm of Graphic Era Hill University, Dehradun, Uttarakhand with an objective to assess integrated weed management practices on weed dynamics, growth and productivity of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.,). The experiment consisted of ten weed management treatments were laid out in randomized block design with three replications. Amongst weed management treatments -pre-emergence application of pendimethalin 1 kg/ha fb1 HW (30 DAS) significantly reduced the weed density, dry weight of grassy and non-grassy weeds while recorded highest weed control efficiency (70.7%). Amongst various weed management treatments, maximum grain and straw yield (4233 and 5020 kg/ha, respectively) was also recorded with pendimethalin 1 kg/ha PE fb 1 HW (30 DAS) followed by pendimethalin 1 kg/ha PE fb metribuzin 42% + clodinafop- propargyl 12% WG (0.210 + 0.06 kg/ha) PoE (premix). Superiority of these treatments were proved by increment of yield of grain to the tune of 139.6 and 130.9% respectively over weedy check and only 3.8% and 7.3% respectively lesser than the weed free treatment. Pendimethalin 1 kg/ha PE +1 HW (30 DAS) also proved to be more effective in improving yield attributes like spikes/m2, spike length (cm), no. of grains/spike, grain weight/spike (g) and 1000 grain weight (g).
An experiment titled “Foliar supplementation of micronutrients on palash for enhanced productivity of rangeeni lac, Kerria lacca” was conducted during 2023–24 in the village of Gadpichhawadi, Kanker district, Chhattisgarh. The study was conducted to analyze the effect of various micronutrient treatments on lac productivity using Palash (Butea monosperma), the host plant for the Katki crop. Brood lac inoculation (BLI) was carried out, and multiple productivity parameters were assessed. Among the treatments, T1 (Zinc) consistently outperformed others. The average number of stick lac per plant was greatest in T1 (27.00) and lowest in the control, T7 (15.33). Similarly, T1 produced mean maximum stick lac length (55.00 cm), weight per 30 cm (42.33 g), scraped weight per 30 cm (20.33 g), The mean fresh weight of 100 lac cells was 6.73 g, while their dry weight was (3.98 g) were all significantly higher in T1 . The highest mean yield of stick lac per plant was recorded in T1 (5.70 kg) and minimum in T7 (2.40 kg). T1 recorded the greatest sex ratio of lac insects, with a value of 3.08 per 2.5 cm², followed by T4 (2.99), and lowest in T7 (2.30). In economic terms, the highest net profit per tree was obtained in T1 (Rs. 1769.39), followed by T4 (Rs. 1730.39), and lowest in T7 (Rs. 661.44). The cost-benefit ratio was also maximum in T1 (1:7.84), indicating the superior efficiency of zinc application. The results clearly demonstrate that zinc treatment significantly enhances both productivity and profitability in lac cultivation on Palash trees.
The present study investigated the seasonal dynamics of Helicoverpa armigera larval population in relation to weekly meteorological variables during the rabi seasons of 2023-24 and 2024-25. Weekly larval density per plant was recorded and examined in relation to mean temperature, relative humidity, rainfall and sunshine hours. Larval population remained negligible during early winter but increased sharply from the 10th SMW onward, attaining peak densities of 8.500 larvae/plant in 2023-24 and 8.200 larvae/plant in 2024-25. To quantify weather–population relationships, Poisson generalized linear models with lagged weather variables were employed. During 2023-24, temperature at one-week lag showed a highly significant positive effect (β = 0.263; p = 0.001), indicating nearly a 30% increase in expected larval density per 1 °C rise, while sunshine at one-week lag was also significant (β = 0.247; p = 0.044). In contrast, during 2024-25, sunshine at one-week lag exerted the strongest influence (β = 0.797; p < 0.001), corresponding to more than a two-fold increase in larval abundance per additional sunshine hour, whereas temperature at two-week lag showed a significant negative effect (β = -0.236; p = 0.032). Relative humidity and rainfall exhibited weak or inconsistent associations in both seasons. The findings highlight the importance of antecedent thermal and solar conditions in regulating H. armigera larval population dynamics and provide insights useful for weather-based pest management strategies.
