S. CHAITANYA*, M. REDDI KUMAR, K. SAKTHIVEL KRISHNAN, K. VENKATARAMANAM AND P. LAVANYA KUMARI

Department of Agronomy, S.V. Agricultural College, ANGRAU, Tirupati-517 502.

ABSTRACT

This study assessed the incidence of Alternaria leaf blight in sunflower crops across major growing regions of Andhra Pradesh during the 2023–24 Rabi season. Surveys conducted in five districts revealed notable variability in Percent Disease Incidence (PDI), ranging from 18.5% to 49.6%. The highest incidence was observed in Tirupati village of Chittoor district (49.6%), while the lowest was recorded in Mudigguba village of Ananthapur district (18.5%). The disease was more severe in sunflower hybrids than in open-pollinated varieties, with the hybrid ‘NDSH 1012’ showing high susceptibility, particularly during the flowering stage. PDIs varied across black and red soils, indicating that soil characteristics may influence disease severity. These results highlight the importance of adopting region-specific management strategies, including the use of resistant varieties such as ‘Advanta’ and ‘Kaveri’, timely interventions during the flowering period and appropriate soil management practices. Utilizing localized PDI data for planning can significantly improve disease control and enhance sunflower productivity in Andhra Pradesh.

KEYWORDS: Alternaria leaf blight, Survey, Percent disease index.