Fifth East African Weed Control Conference

Abstract

Curvularia leaf spot of maize is becoming increasingly important in Nigeria. Six fungicides were tested for their effectiveness in inhibiting the growth of Curvularia pallescens Boed. in culture. The fungicides copper oxychloride, copper oxychloride + zineb and benomyl were more effective than mancozeb, zineb or maneb in inhibiting the growth of C. pallescens in culture; however, only copper oxychloride + zineb and copper oxychloride alone effectively controlled Curvularia leaf spot on maize.

Four maize varieties were artificially inoculated in a disease-loss field trial. The yield depressing effect of the disease was found to be significantly dependent on the type of variety infected. Regression coefficients (grain yield versus leaf infection) among the four maize varieties were not statistically homogeneous, percentage grain yield reduction ranged from 3.0 for the variety NCBRbu to 33.3 for the variety Igbira.