Effect of Nano-hexaconazole on the Phenotype and Pathogenicity of Rhizoctonia solani f. sp sasakii causing Banded Leaf and Sheath Blight in Maize

A study was carried out in vitro to know the effect of nano-hexaconazole and commercial hexaconazole on the phenotype of two highly virulent isolates viz., M25 and M16 of Rhizoctonia solani f.sp. sasakii, the incitant of banded leaf and sheath blight (BLSB) of maize. Nano-hexaconazole out performed in suppression of growth and sclerotial body initiation in both isolates at 0.1, 0.01 and 0.001 ppm concentrations. However, at 1ppm, both nano- and commercial hexaconazole inhibited growth and sclerotial body formation more efficiently. The effect on colony appearance, colony colour, sclerotial body colour, sclerotial aggregation, sclerotia formation on lid was not apparent. In vivo study under net house condition also revealed significant effect of nano-hexaconazole in restricting lesion formation on susceptible cultivar Vivek QPM -9. Disease rating (score 1-5) was also reduced upon inoculation with the fungus exposed to 0.1 and 0.01 ppm of nano-hexaconazole.