Effect of date of sowing on yield and disease intensity of Alternaria blight in safflower

Abstract

Alternaria blight of safflower caused by a fungal pathogen, Alternaria carthami is an important disease. Investigations were made on the effect of sowing dates on disease intensity and yield of safflower crop. Highest disease intensity was recorded when crop was sown early during first fortnight of September was found to suffer severely with Alternaria blight disease with significant reduction in seed yield; however delayed sown crop from second fortnight of September onward the blight disease intensity was found to decrease drastically.