CUMIN BLIGHT (Alternaria burnsii ) AND ITS MANAGEMENT

Cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.) is an important seeds spice crop at world level and India is the leading producer (70% of world production), consumer and exporter of cumin in the world. Almost 80% of the crop cultivated is consumed in India. The crop yield is affected by several biotic and abiotic factors, among them, blight is one of the most dreaded disease and a major production constrain for the successful cultivation of cumin crop.The disease initiation was observed at nearly one - month age of the crop during warm humid weather in the epidemic form at flowering stage and seed cannot mature to full size. Seeds become shrivelled and are easily blown away during winnowing. Early sown crop gets high intensity of disease and produces unmarketable seed.