INTRODUCTION

India is known as The Home of Spices, and Indian spices are prized for their therapeutic properties. India is third in the world for the production of chillies, one of the main crops used to make spices [10]. In India, pre and post-harvest losses of chilli are found to be more than 50 per cent [9]. Fruit rot caused by C. capsici wasreported to reduce the marketable yield from 2.5 to 11.6 per cent depending on the variety [7]. Fruit rot alone reduces the fruit yield by more than 50 per cent in different parts of India [3]; [8] and substantial reduction in quality characters among different parts of India [1]; [4].

A wide range from 10 per cent to 80 per cent reduction in fruit yield has also been reported [11]. The disease incidence varies from 44 to 51 per cent [13]. Recently, [14] have reported a decreased fruit yield from 50.3 to 58.6 per cent due to fruit rot incidence plots in untreated control as compared to the treated plots. The yield loss extends even up to 100 per cent and reduces the marketability. Numerous systemic and contact fungicides have been suggested for the management of the fruit rot fungus [6]. Hence, the chemical management of C. capsici is very important in chilli cultivation.

Material and Methods

Poisoned food technique was adopted as per the procedure given by [2] to determine the bio-efficacy of fungicides against C. capsici in vitroby taking one highly pathogenic isolate from the collected isolates. The fungicides used for evaluation of bio-efficacy in different concentrations against C. capsici to know the effective fungicide for management of the pathogen are listed below in table 1.

Poisoned food technique

For each treatment, 60 ml of potato dextrose sugar (PDA) medium was taken in 100 ml conical flask and sterilized. To this, the required quantity of fungicide was added at luke warm state to get desired concentration of each fungicide (1, 10, 25, 50, 100, 150, 200, 250, 500, 750, 1000, 1250, 1500, 1750,

2000, 2250, 2500, 2750, 3000, 3250, 3500, 3750 and 4000 µg ml^-1). Three replications were maintained for each treatment. Five mm discs of the test fungal culture of C. capsici was obtained with sterilized cork borer and transferred to the centre of the poisoned medium in each of the Petri plates. Similarly controls were maintained by placing 5 mm disk of test fungal culture in the centre of un poisoned medium in the plates. All the petriplates were incubated at 28+1⁰ C in biological oxygen demand (BOD) incubator. The diameter of fungal colony was measured in each of the treatment when the fungal colony growth in the control plate was full. Per cent mycelial inhibition was calculated in each treatment by comparison with control plates by the following formula [12].

I = 100 (C-T)/C

Where, I = Percent inhibition C= Growth in control, T= Growth in treatment

Based on the above procedure, the observations were recorded and the efficacy of the fungicide was studied. The individual EC 50/ED 50 values were calculated by using probit analysis (Finney, 1952). Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) values were calculated from the per cent mycelial inhibition data observed at different concentrations of the fungicides studied.

Statistical analysis

The data was taken to determine the percentage mycelial inhibition of the fungus in treatment and control against the isolated pathogens causing fruit rot of chilli. Thus, the data obtained from the results were subjected to statistical analysis by using probit analysis. All of the statistical analysis were evaluated using SPSS/INDO Stat software. The data were subjected to square root and angular transformation values wherever necessary and analysed by adopting a completely randomized design (CRD) as suggested by [5].

Results and Discussion

Efficacy of different fungicides against Colletotrichum capsici under in vitro conditions.

Based on pathogenicity studies, isolate Cc-3 was recorded as the highest virulent with early and late symptoms on chilli fruit. Based on molecular identification, isolate Cc -3 was found to be Colletotrichum capsici. Therefore, isolate Cc -3 was used for the study of the management of Colletotrichum capsici by evaluating different fungicides using poisoned food technique.The efficacy of different fungicides viz., carbendazim 50 % WP, captan 50 % WP, copper oxychloride 50 % WP, difeniconazole 25 % EC, tebuconazole 25.9 % EC, azoxystrobin 23 % SC, azoxystrobin 11 % + tebuconazole 18.3 % w/w SC, carbendazim 12 % + mancozeb 63 % WP, carbendazim 12 % + flusilazole 12.5 % SE, prochloraz 24.4 % + tebuconazole 12.15 w/w EW, tebuconazole 50 % + trifoxystrobin 25 % WG, metiram 55 % + pyraclostrobin 5 % WG, picoxystrobin + tricyclazole 20.33 % w/w SC, hexaconazole 5

% + captan 70 % WP were tested against Colletotrichum capsici pathogen collected from pinapaka village of Khammam area under in vitro conditions.

Table 1 List of fungicides tested against Colletotrichum capsici

The per cent mycelial inhibition of all the fungicides recorded after 18 days after inoculation (DAI) evaluated at different concentrations as 1µg ml^-1, 10 µg ml^-1, 25 µg ml^-1, 50 µg ml^-1, 100 µg ml^{– 1}, 150 µg ml^-1, 200 µg ml^-1, 250 µg ml^-1, 500 µg ml^-1, 750 µg ml^-1, 1000 µg ml^-1, 1250 µg ml^-1, 1500

µg ml^-1, 1750 µg ml^-1, 2000 µg ml^-1, 2250 µg ml^-1, 2500 µg ml^-1, 2750 µg ml^-1, 3000 µg ml^-1, 3250 µg ml^-1, 3500 µg ml^-1, 3750 µg ml^-1 and 4000 µg ml^-1.

The results revealed that, EC50/ ED50, EC90/ ED90 and Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) values of Colletotrichum capsici significantly differed in all the fungicides evaluated at different concentrations as 1µg ml^-1, 10 µg ml^-1, 25 µg ml^-1, 50 µg ml^-1, 100 µg ml^-1, 150 µg ml^-1, 200 µg ml^-1, 250 µg ml^-1, 500 µg ml^-1, 750 µg ml^-1, 1000 µg ml^-1, 1250 µg ml^-1, 1500 µg ml^-1, 1750 µg ml^-1, 2000

µg ml^-1, 2250 µg ml^-1, 2500 µg ml^-1, 2750 µg ml^-1, 3000 µg ml^-1, 3250 µg ml^-1, 3500 µg ml^-1, 3750 µg ml^-1 and 4000 µg ml^-1.

Per cent mycelial inhibition of Colletotrichum capsici under individual fungicides

Per cent mycelial inhibition of carbendazim 50 % WP, captan 50 % WP, copper oxychloride 50

% WP, difeniconazole 25 % EC, tebuconazole 25.9 % EC, azoxystrobin 23 % SC are given in table 2 and presented in plate 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8.

Among the various treatments tested, the per cent mycelial inhibition for carbendazim 50 % WP fungicide ranged from 10.69 to 100. The least per cent mycelial inhibition was recorded 10.69 (1 µg ml ^-1) followed by 16.46 (10 µg ml ^-1), 17.69 (25 µg ml ^-1), 18.10 (50 µg ml ^-1), 18.51 (100 µg ml ^-1),

19.34 (150 µg ml ^-1), 20.98 (200 µg ml ^-1), 20.57 (250 µg ml ^-1), 20.81 (500 µg ml ^-1), 17.69 (750 µg

ml ^-1), 35.39 (1000 µg ml ^-1), 50.20 (1250 µg ml ^-1), 58.84 (1500 µg ml ^-1), 71.19 (1750 µg ml ^-1), 81.89

(2000 µg ml ^-1), 70.37 (2250 µg ml ^-1), 72.83 (2500 µg ml ^-1), 75.30 (2750 µg ml ^-1), 76.54 (3000 µg

ml ^-1) and 100 per cent mycelial inhibition was observed at 3250 µg ml ^-1.

The per cent mycelial inhibition for captan 50 % WP fungicide ranged from 14. 81 to 100. The least per cent mycelial inhibition was recorded 14.81 (1 µg ml ^-1) followed by 18.51 (10 µg ml ^-1),

19.34 (25 µg ml ^-1), 19.34 (50 µg ml ^-1), 20.57 (100 µg ml ^-1), 20.16 (150 µg ml ^-1), 22.63 (200 µg ml

^-1), 23.86 (250 µg ml ^-1), 24.27 (500 µg ml ^-1), 50.20 (750 µg ml ^-1), 51.85 (1000 µg ml ^-1), 53.49 (1250

µg ml ^-1), 52.67 (1500 µg ml ^-1), 77.36 (1750 µg ml ^-1), 83.53 (2000 µg ml ^-1), 85.18 (2250 µg ml ^-1)

and 100 per cent mycelial inhibition was observed at 2500 µg ml ^-1. The per cent mycelial inhibition for copper oxychloride 50 % WP fungicide ranged from 12.34 to 100. The least per cent mycelial inhibition was recorded 12.34 (1 µg ml ^-1) followed by 14.81 (10 µg ml ^-1), 16.04 (25 µg ml ^-1), 16.46

(50 µg ml ^-1), 16.87 (100 µg ml ^-1), 19.34 (150 µg ml ^-1), 23.86 (200 µg ml ^-1), 18.10 (250 µg ml ^-1),

19.34 (500 µg ml ^-1), 28.80 (750 µg ml ^-1), 78.18 (1000 µg ml ^-1), 79.42 (1250 µg ml ^-1), 81.89 (1500

µg ml ^-1), 83.12 (1750 µg ml ^-1), 38.68 (2000 µg ml ^-1), 74.07 (2250 µg ml ^-1) and 100 per cent mycelial inhibition was observed at 2500 µg ml ^-1. The per cent mycelial inhibition for difeniconazole 25 % EC fungicide ranged from 16.87 to 100. The least per cent mycelial inhibition was recorded 16.87 (1 µg ml ^-1) followed by 18.51 (10 µg ml ^-1), 19.34 (25 µg ml ^-1), 22.22 (50 µg ml ^-1), 23.86 (100 µg ml ^-1),

54.32 (150 µg ml ^-1), 90.12 (200 µg ml ^-1) and 100 per cent mycelial inhibition were observed at 250 µg ml ^-1.

The per cent mycelial inhibition for tebuconazole 25.9 % EC fungicide ranged from 18.93 to 100. The least per cent mycelial inhibition was recorded 18.93 (1 µg ml ^-1) followed by 27.57 (10 µg ml ^{– 1}), 31.68 (25 µg ml ^-1) and 100 per cent mycelial inhibition was observed at 50 µg ml ^-1. The per cent mycelial inhibition for azoxystrobin 23 % SC fungicide ranged from 12.34 to 100. The least per cent mycelial inhibition was recorded 12.34 (1 µg ml ^-1) followed by 13.58 (10 µg ml ^-1), 16.87 (25 µg ml

^-1), 17.69 (50 µg ml ^-1), 18.51 (100 µg ml ^-1), 21.39 (150 µg ml ^-1), 22.22 (200 µg ml ^-1), 23.04 (250 µg

ml ^-1), 23.45 (500 µg ml ^-1), 31.68 (750 µg ml ^-1), 33.74 (1000 µg ml ^-1), 41.56 (1250 µg ml ^-1), 29.62

(1500 µg ml ^-1), 23.45 (1750 µg ml ^-1), 32.09 (2000 µg ml ^-1), 72.83 (2250 µg ml ^-1), 80.24 (2500 µg

ml ^-1), 77.78 (2750 µg ml ^-1), 85.18 (3000 µg ml ^-1), 87.65 (3250 µg ml ^-1) and 100 per cent mycelial inhibition was observed at 3500 µg ml ^-1.

Table 2 Efficacy of individual fungicides on per cent mycelial inhibition of Colletotrichum capsici

under in vitro.

*Mean of three replications

**Figures in parenthesis are angular transformed values

Per cent mycelial inhibition of Colletotrichum capsici under combination of fungicides

Per cent mycelial inhibition of carbendazim 12 % + mancozeb 63 % WP, carbendazim 12 % + flusilazole 12.5 % SE, prochloraz 24.4 % + tebuconazole 12.15 w/w, hexaconazole 5 % + captan 70

% WP, azoxystrobin 11 % + tebuconazole 18.3 % w/w SC, tebuconazole 50 % + trifoxystrobin 25 % WG, metiram 55 % + pyraclostrobin 5 % WG and picoxystrobin + tricyclazole 20.33 % w/w SC are given in table 3 and presented in plate 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14.

Among the various treatments tested, per cent mycelial inhibition azoxystrobin 11 % + tebuconazole 18.3 % w/w SC fungicide ranged from 16.46 to 100. The least per cent mycelial inhibition was recorded 16.46 (1 µg ml ^-1) followed by 19.34 (10 µg ml ^-1), 30.04 (25 µg ml ^-1), 33.74

(50 µg ml ^-1), 37.03 (100 µg ml ^-1), 37.86 (150 µg ml ^-1), 37.03 (200 µg ml ^-1), 54.32 (250 µg ml ^-1),

56.79 (500 µg ml ^-1), 54.32 (750 µg ml ^-1), 52.26 (1000 µg ml ^-1), 52.67 (1250 µg ml ^-1), 65.02 (1500

µg ml ^-1), 81.89 (1750 µg ml ^-1), 83.53 (2000 µg ml ^-1), 72.83 (2250 µg ml ^-1) and 100 per cent mycelial inhibition was observed at 2500 µg ml ^-1.

The per cent mycelial inhibition for carbendazim 12 % + Mancozeb 63 % WP fungicide ranged from 8.64 to 100. The least per cent mycelial inhibition was recorded 8.64 (1 µg ml ^-1) followed by 11.11 (10 µg ml ^-1), 14.81 (25 µg ml ^-1), 16.04 (50 µg ml ^-1), 40.74 (100 µg ml ^-1), 39.50 (150 µg ml ^–

¹), 45.67 (200 µg ml ^-1), 54.32 (250 µg ml ^-1), 67.90 (500 µg ml ^-1), 77.77 (750 µg ml ^-1) and 100 per

cent mycelial inhibition was observed at 1000 µg ml ^-1.

The per cent mycelial inhibition for carbendazim 12 % + flusilazole 12.5 % SE fungicide ranged from 13.16 to 100. The least per cent mycelial inhibition was recorded 13.16 (1 µg ml ^-1) followed by 14.40 (10 µg ml ^-1), 17.69 (25 µg ml ^-1), 19.75 (50 µg ml ^-1), 23.45 (100 µg ml ^-1), 34.97 (150 µg ml ^–

¹), 44.85 (200 µg ml ^-1), 58.84 (250 µg ml ^-1), 60.08 (500 µg ml ^-1), 65.02 (750 µg ml ^-1), 71.19 (1000

µg ml ^-1), 65.02 (1250 µg ml ^-1), 79.42 (1500 µg ml ^-1) and 100 per cent mycelial inhibition was

observed at 1750 µg ml ^-1.

The per cent mycelial inhibition for prochloraz 24.4 % + tebuconazole 12.15 w/w EW fungicide ranged from 11.11 to 100. The least per cent mycelial inhibition was recorded 11.11 (1 µg ml ^-1) followed by 12.75 (10 µg ml ^-1), 14.40 (25 µg ml ^-1), 18.51 (50 µg ml ^-1), 21.81 (100 µg ml ^-1), 29.21

(150 µg ml ^-1), 30.04 (200 µg ml ^-1), 34.56 (250 µg ml ^-1), 40.74 (500 µg ml ^-1), 45.67 (750 µg ml ^-1),

62.55 (1000 µg ml ^-1), 70.37 (1250 µg ml ^-1), 77.77 (1500 µg ml ^-1), 82.71 (1750 µg ml ^-1) and 100 per

cent mycelial inhibition was observed at 2000 µg ml ^-1.

The per cent mycelial inhibition for tebuconazole 50 % + trifoxystrobin 25 % WG fungicide ranged from 16.46 to 100. The least per cent mycelial inhibition was recorded 13.99 (1 µg ml ^-1) followed by 18.10 (10 µg ml ^-1), 20.16 (25 µg ml ^-1), 21.39 (50 µg ml ^-1), 22.22 (100 µg ml ^-1), 23.04

(150 µg ml ^-1), 23.45 (200 µg ml ^-1), 26.33 (250 µg ml ^-1), 28.80 (500 µg ml ^-1), 32.51 (750 µg ml ^-1),

41.15 (1000 µg ml ^-1), 41.15 (1250 µg ml ^-1), 51.02 (1500 µg ml ^-1), 72.83 (1750 µg ml ^-1), 88.06 (2000

µg ml ^-1), 58.02 (2250 µg ml ^-1), 70.37 (2500 µg ml ^-1), 85.18 (2750 µg ml ^-1), 71.60 (3000 µg ml ^-1),

75.30 (3250 µg ml ^-1), 77.77 ( 3500 µg ml ^-1), 85.18 (3750 µg ml ^-1) and 100 per cent mycelial inhibition was observed at 4000 µg ml ^-1.

The per cent mycelial inhibition for metiram 55 % + pyraclostrobin 5 % WG fungicide ranged from 14.81 to 100. The least per cent mycelial inhibition was recorded 14.81 (1 µg ml ^-1) followed by 15.63 (10 µg ml ^-1), 16.46 (25 µg ml ^-1), 16.46 (50 µg ml ^-1), 16.04 (100 µg ml ^-1), 15.22 (150 µg ml ^–

¹), 20.16 (200 µg ml ^-1), 20.57 (250 µg ml ^-1), 20.98 (500 µg ml ^-1), 23.86 (750 µg ml ^-1), 25.92 (1000

µg ml ^-1), 27.98 (1250 µg ml ^-1), 28.80 (1500 µg ml ^-1), 32.92 (1750 µg ml ^-1), 48.14 (2000 µg ml ^-1),

72.83 (2250 µg ml ^-1), 76.54 (2500 µg ml ^-1), 80.24 (2750 µg ml ^-1), 97.53 (3000 µg ml ^-1) and 100 per

cent mycelial inhibition was observed at 3250 µg ml ^-1.

The per cent mycelial inhibition for picoxystrobin + tricyclazole 20.33 % w/w SC fungicide ranged from 11.11 to 100. The least per cent mycelial inhibition was recorded 11.11 (1 µg ml ^-1) followed by 11.93 (10 µg ml ^-1), 12.34 (25 µg ml ^-1), 22.22 (50 µg ml ^-1), 28.80 (100 µg ml ^-1), 29.21

(150 µg ml ^-1), 28.80 (200 µg ml ^-1), 36.62 (250 µg ml ^-1), 38.68 (500 µg ml ^-1), 59.67 (750 µg ml ^-1),

77.36 (1000 µg ml ^-1), 78.60 (1250 µg ml ^-1), 79.01 (1500 µg ml ^-1), 67.90 (1750 µg ml ^-1), 60.49 (2000

µg ml ^-1), 70.37 (2250 µg ml ^-1) and 100 per cent mycelial inhibition was observed at 2500 µg ml ^-1.

The per cent mycelial inhibition for hexaconazole 5 % + captan 70 % WP fungicide ranged from

13.58 to 100. The least per cent mycelial inhibition was recorded 13.58 (1 µg ml ^-1) followed by 16.46 (10 µg ml ^-1), 17.69 (25 µg ml ^-1), 20.57 (50 µg ml ^-1), 26.33 (100 µg ml ^-1), 29.62 (150 µg ml ^-1), 29.62 (200 µg ml ^-1), 41.15 (250 µg ml ^-1), 72.01 (500 µg ml ^-1), 76.54 (750 µg ml ^-1), 79.83 (1000 µg ml ^-1) and 100 per cent mycelial inhibition was observed at 1250 µg ml ^-1.

EC50/ED50 (Half maximal effective concentration / effective dose)

Among the 14 different fungicicdes tested under probit analysis, EC50/ED50 was recorded lowest in tebuconazole 25.9 % EC (18) followed by difenoconazole 25 % EC (113), carbendazim 12

% + mancozeb 63 % WP (316), hexaconazole 5 % + captan 70 % WP (406), carbendazim 25 % + flusilazole 12.5 % SE (549), azoxystrobin 11 % + tebuconazole 18.3 % w/w SC (689), prochloraz

24.4 % + tebuconazole 12.1 % w/w EW (762), picoxystrobin + tricyclazole 20.33 % w/w SC (853), captan 50% WP (978), copper oxychloride 50 % WP (1040), carbendazim 50 % WP (1350), tebuconazole 50 % + trifloxystrobin 25 % WG (1465), metiram 55 % + pyraclostrobin 5 % WG (1549) and highest was recorded in azoxystrobin 23 % SC (1598).

EC50/ED50 (90 % maximal effective concentration / effective dose)

EC90/ED90 was recorded lowest in tebuconazole 25.9 % EC (50) followed by difenoconazole 25 % EC (229), carbendazim 12 % + mancozeb 63 % WP (763), hexaconazole 5 % + captan 70 %

WP (1246), carbendazim 25 % + flusilazole 12.5 % SE (1542), prochloraz 24.4 % + tebuconazole

12.1 % w/w EW (1812), captan 50 % WP (2223), picoxystrobin + tricyclazole 20.33 % w/w SC (2262), azoxystrobin 11 % + tebuconazole 18.3 % w/w SC (2263), copper oxychloride 50 % WP (2352), carbendazim 50 % WP (3001), metiram 55 % + pyraclostrobin 5 % WG (3144), azoxystrobin 23 % SC (3429) and highest was recorded in tebuconazole 50 % + trifloxystrobin 25 % WG (3720).

Table -3 Efficacy of combination of fungicides on mycelial inhibition of Colletotrichum capsici under in vitro.

*Mean of three replications.

**Figures in parenthesis are angular transformed values

Table 4 List of fungicides tested against Colletotrichum capsici using Probit analysis.

MIC (Minimum Inhibitory Concentration)

MIC (µg ml^-1) was recorded lowest in tebuconazole 25.9 % EC (100) followed by difeniconazole 25 % EC (250), carbendazim 12 % + mancozeb 63 % WP (1000), hexaconazole 5 % + captan 70 %

WP (1250), carbendazim 25 % + flusilazole 12.5 % SE (1750), prochloraz 24.4 % + tebuconazole 12.1

% w/w EW (2000), captan 50 % WP (2250), picoxystrobin + tricyclazole 20.33 % w/w SC (2500), azoxystrobin 11 % + tebuconazole 18.3 % w/w SC (2500), copper oxychloride 50 % WP (2500),

carbendazim 50 % WP (3250), metiram 55 % + pyraclostrobin 5 % WG (3250), azoxystrobin 23 % SC (3500) and highest was recorded in tebuconazole 50 % + trifloxystrobin 25 % WG (4000).

The per cent mycelial inhibition for carbendazim 50 % WP was ranged from 10.69 (1µg ml^-1) to 100 (3250 µg ml^-1), for captan 50 % WP 14.81 (1µg ml^-1) to 100 (2500 µg ml^-1), copper oxy chloride 50 % WP 12.34 (1µg ml^-1) to 100 (2500 µg ml^-1), difeniconazole 25 % EC 16.87 (1µg ml^-1) to 100

(3250 µg ml^-1), tebuconazole 25.9 % EC 18.93 (1µg ml^-1) to 100 (100 µg ml^-1), azoxystrobin 23 % SC

12.34 (1µg ml^-1) to 100 (3500 µg ml^-1), azoxystrobin 11 % + tebuconazole18.3 % w/w SC 16.46 (1µg ml^-1) to 100 (3250 µg ml^-1), carbendazim 12 % + mancozeb 63 % WP 8.64 (1µg ml^-1) to 100 (3250 µg ml^-1), carbendazim 12 % + flusilazole 12.5 % SE 13.16 (1µg ml^-1) to 100 (3250 µg ml^-1), prochloraz

24.4 % + tebuconazole 12.15 w/w EW 11.11 (1µg ml^-1) to 100 (3250 µg ml^-1), tebuconazole 50 % + trifoxystrobin 25 % WG 16.46 (1µg ml^-1) to 100 (3250 µg ml^-1), metiram 55 % + pyraclostrobin 5 % WG 14.81 (1µg ml^-1) to 100 (3250 µg ml^-1), picoxystrobin + tricyclazole 20.33 % w/w SC 11.11(1µg ml^-1) to 100 (3250 µg ml^-1), hexaconazole 5 % + captan 70 % WP 13.58 (1µg ml^-1) to 100 (3250 µg ml^-1).

SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS

Based on pathogenicity studies, isolate Cc-3 was found as the highest virulent isolate. Hence, it was used for fungicide screening under in vitro conditions. Efficacy of six individual and eight combination fungicides was screened against Colletotrichum capsici pathogen.

The results showed all the 14 fungicides were effective in inhibiting the radial growth of Colletotrichum capsici compared to the control. The results revealed that, per cent mycelial inhibition, EC50/ ED50 and MIC values of Colletotrichum capsici significantly differed in all the fungicides evaluated at different concentrations as 1µg ml^-1, 10 µg ml^-1, 25 µg ml^-1, 50 µg ml^-1, 100 µg ml^-1, 150 µg ml^-1, 200 µg ml^-1, 250 µg ml^-1, 500 µg ml^-1, 750 µg ml^-1, 1000 µg ml^-1, 1250 µg ml^-1, 1500 µg ml^–

¹, 1750 µg ml^-1, 2000 µg ml^-1, 2250 µg ml^-1, 2500 µg ml^-1, 2750 µg ml^-1, 3000 µg ml^-1, 3250 µg ml^-1, 3500 µg ml^-1, 3750 µg ml^-1 and 4000 µg ml^-1.

Among the different individual fungicides tested under probit analysis, EC50/ED50 values were recorded lowest in tebuconazole 25.9 % EC (18 µg ml^-1) followed by difenoconazole 25 % EC (113 µg ml^-1) and highest EC50/ED50 was recorded in azoxystrobin 23 % SC (3429 µg ml^-1).

Among all the eight combination fungicides, EC50/ED50 values was recorded lowest in carbendazim 12 %+ mancozeb 63 % WP (316 µg ml^-1) followed by hexaconazole 5% + captan 70 %

WP (406 µg ml^-1) and highest EC50/ED50 were recorded in tebuconazole 50 % + trifloxystrobin 25 % WG (3720 µg ml^-1).

EC90/ED90 was recorded lowest in Tebuconazole 25.9 % EC (50 µg ml^-1) followed by difenoconazole 25 % EC (229 µg ml^-1) and highest was recorded in azoxystrobin 23 % SC (3429 µg ml^-1) among all six individual fungicides, EC90/ED90 was recorded lowest in carbendazim 12 % + mancozeb 63 % WP (763 µg ml^-1) followed by hexaconazole 5 % + captan 70 % WP (1246 µg ml^-1) and highest was recorded in tebuconazole 50 % + trifloxystrobin 25 % WG (3720 µg ml^-1) among all eight combination fungicides.

Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) was recorded lowest in tebuconazole 25.9 % EC (100 µg ml^-1) followed by difenoconazole 25 % EC (250 µg ml^-1) and highest was recorded in azoxystrobin 23 % SC (3500 µg ml^-1) among all the six individual fungicides.

MIC was recorded lowest in carbendazim 12 % + mancozeb 63 % WP (1000 µg ml^-1) followed by hexaconazole 5 % + captan 70 % WP (1250 µg ml^-1) and highest was recorded in tebuconazole 50

% + trifloxystrobin 25 % WG (4000 µg ml^-1) among all eight combination fungicides.

From in vitro studies on the different fungicides tested against Colletotrichum capsici pathogen, among the individual fungicides tebuconazole 25.9 % EC was found to be effective in reducing 100 per cent mycelial inhibition of Colletotrichum capsici pathogen at a concentration of 100 µg ml^-1 followed by difenoconazole 25 % EC at a concentration of 250 µg ml^-1 and in case of combination fungicides, carbendazim 12 % + mancozeb 63 % WP was found to be effective at a concentration of 1000 µg ml^-1.

From the study, it was finally concluded that from the observations of a survey that the per cent fruit rot disease incidence was recorded in all the areas surveyed and cultivars. The per cent fruit rot disease incidence varied irrespective of the areas and cultivars which suggests that there is no relation between fruit rot incidence with respect to the areas and cultivars. This gives an idea on the importance of fruit rot disease incidence in chilli in all areas and cultivars for taking the appropriate management practices for getting good yields. Further, from the in vitro studies on the efficacy of fungicides tested against fruit rot pathogen, it was found that among the individual fungicides tested tebuconazole 25 % EC was found to be effectively followed by difeniconazole 25 % EC, where as in case of combination

fungicides tested, carbendazim + mancozeb 65 % WP followed by hexaconazole + captan 70 % WP were found to be effective against the pathogen which paves the way to think of selecting the appropriate effective fungicides to control the most destructive disease of chilli fruit rot and save the chilli which is the high-value crop grown in erstwhile district of Khammam, Telangana state.

Acknowledgement

I sincerely thank the Department of Pathology, College of Agriculture, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad, Telangana, India, Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Wyra, Khammam, Telangana, India, Department of Biotechnology, College of Agriculture, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad, Telangana, India, Central instrumentation Cell,  College of Agriculture, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad, Telangana, India for their constant help in my research work. I felt elated to express my bountiful thanks to those who directly or indirectly helped me in the successful completion of the work The authors are incredibly thankful to the editor and assistant editor for finding interest in the present study. Furthermore, we also thank the anonymous reviewers for their constructive ideas to strengthen the current research work are appreciated as well.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest

Ethical approval

This article does not contain any studies with human participants or animals performed by any of the authors.

Funding

The author (s) received financial support from the institutional research grant of Professor Jayashankar Telangana state agricultural University and the Government of Telangana for financial help and for providing research facilities which can’t be forgettable.

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Plate 1 Efficacy of carbendazim 50 % WP fungicide on mycelial inhibition of Colletotrichum capsici under in vitro.

Plate 2 Efficacy of captan 50 % WP fungicide on mycelial inhibition of Colletotrichum capsici

under in vitro.

Plate 3 Efficacy of copper oxychloride 50 % WP fungicide on mycelial inhibition of

Colletotrichum capsici under in vitro.

Plate 4 Efficacy of difeniconazole 25 % EC fungicide on mycelial inhibition of

Colletotrichum capsici under in vitro.

Plate 5 Efficacy of tebuconazole 25.9 % EC fungicides on mycelial inhibition of

Colletotrichum capsici under in vitro.

Plate 6 Efficacy of azoxystrobin 23 % SC fungicides on mycelial inhibition of

Colletotrichum capsici under in vitro.

Plate 7 Efficacy of azoxystrobin 11 % + tebuconazole 18.3 % w/w SC fungicides on mycelial inhibition of Colletotrichum capsici under in vitro.

Plate 8 Efficacy of carbendazim 12 % + mancozeb 63 % WP fungicides on mycelial inhibition of Colletotrichum capsici under in vitro.

Plate 9 Efficacy of carbendazim 12 % + flusilazole 12.5 % SE fungicides on mycelial inhibition of Colletotrichum capsici under in vitro.

Plate 10 Efficacy of prochloraz 24.4 % + tebuconazole 12.15 w/w EW fungicides on mycelial inhibition of Colletotrichum capsici under in vitro.

Plate 11 Efficacy of tebuconazole 50 % + trifoxystrobin 25 % WG fungicides on mycelial inhibition of Colletotrichum capsici under in vitro.

Plate 12 Efficacy of metiram 55 % + pyraclostrobin 5 % WG fungicides on mycelial inhibition of Colletotrichum capsici under in vitro.

Plate 13 Efficacy of picoxystrobin + tricyclazole 20.33 % w/w SC fungicides on mycelial inhibition of Colletotrichum capsici under in vitro.

Plate 14 Efficacy of hexaconazole 5 % + captan 70 % WP fungicides on mycelial inhibition of Colletotrichum capsici under in vitro.