TIKKA / LEAF SPOT DISEASE OF GROUNDNUT

Tikka disease is also known as Leaf spot in ground nut. It is one of the serious diseases of groundnut that destroys the whole crop. There are two types of leaf spot

• Early leaf spot – It is caused by Cercospora arachidicola. Here the spots formed are more than 0.6mm in diameter(large) and are irregularly spread on the leaves. These spots are formed in the initial stages of the crop growth i.e a month after sowing and hence the name Early leaf spot.

SYMTOPMS

1. Small chlorotic spots can be seen on upper surface of the leaflets.
2. Slowly they enlarge and turn brown to black colour which are semi circular in shape
3. On the lower surface of leaves light brown colouration is seen.
4. Lesions also appear on petioles, stems, stipules.
5. In severe cases several lesions coalesce and result in premature senescence.

• Late leaf spot – It is caused by Cercospora personata. Here the spots formed on the leaves are less than 0.6mm in diameter(Small) and are regular in nature. Here the spots will be formed on the later stages i.e during flowering and maturity and called as late leaf spot.

SYMPTOMS

1. Infection starts around 55-57 days after sowing in Kharif and 42-46 days after sowing in Rabi.
2. On the lower surface of the leaves, Black circular spots can be found
3. Lesions are rough and leads to shedding of leaves.
4. In severe cases many lesions coalesce resulting in premature senescence

MANAGEMENT

Along with the cultural methods use fungicides like

1. Carbendazim 0.1%

1. Basf Priaxor @ 120ml/acre
2. Basf Acrisio
3. Mancozeb 0.2%
4. Chlorothalonil 1000g/ha