STATUS AND ECO-FRIENDLY MANAGEMENT OF ALTERNARIA BLIGHT OF RADISH (RAPHANUS SATIVUS L.) IN BUNDELKHAND REGION OF INDIA

Radish (Raphanus sativus) is a vital root vegetable crop whose productivity is significantly affected by Alternaria blight, caused by fungus (Alternaria spp.) This study was conducted during the 2024–25 winter season to research the status, epidemiology, and management of Alternaria blight in the Bundelkhand region of India. Field surveys across Jhansi, Hamirpur and Mahoba districts revealed widespread occurrence of the disease, with severity ranging from 12.75% to 33.62% and incidence from 19.20% to 41.29%. The highest severity (33.62%) was observed in the Babina block of Jhansi. Epidemiological analysis showed a highly significant negative correlation with minimum temperature (r=–0.721) and a highly significant positive correlation with maximum relative humidity (r=+0.847), while the effect of rainfall was not significant. The causal organism was linked as Alternaria brassicicola based on morpho-cultural features. A field trial with seven treatments (fungicides and biopesticides) showed that foliar spray of onion extract was most effective, with lowest disease intensity (12.90%) and highest reduction (75.25%) at 60 DAS, followed by neem oil (18.09%) and Mancozeb 75% WP (18.53%). The study concludes that Alternaria blight is a major constraint in radish production in Bundelkhand and that eco-friendly approaches like onion extract can be promising alternatives for disease management.