INTEGRATED MANAGEMENT OF BUD NECROSIS DISEASE OF WATERMELON

Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) belongs to the family Cucurbitaceae is one of the most importantsummer fruit vegetable crop, Bud-necrosis disease caused by Watermelon bud necrosis orthotospovirus(WBNV) is an emerging constraint to watermelon production in several regions.. In all parts of Konkanregion of Maharashtra watermelon cultivation goes on increasing day by day but watermelon cultivationsustained severe setback due to watermelon bud necrosis disease. The present study was undertaken toovercome this disease by adopting different management practices. A three years field study (Rabiseasons 2020, 2021, & 2022) evaluated on management of bud necrosis disease of watermelon.Treatments were arranged in a randomized complete block design with seven treatments and threereplications. Percentage disease incidence (PDI), thrips population, and marketable yield were recorded.The pooled data of three years study revealed that, among the seven different treatments, the treatmentsT6= Black mulching (30 micron) + drenching of Pseudomonas fluorescens at true leaf stage + one sprayof Imidachloprid (0.3 ml/I) @ 30 DAS + Application of blue sticky trap (2 trap / plot) + one sprays ofneem oil @ 2 ml/l 45 DAS was found significantly superior for management of bud necrosis disease ofwatermelon over rest of the treatments with minimum percent disease intensity (PDI) 29.21% andmaximum per cent disease reduction 41.85% over control along with significantly increased the fruityield (21.11qh a-1) over control as well as low thrips population..