Enhancement of growth and yield of Trigonella foenum graecum L. by foliar application of Pyraclostrobin (F500)

Abstract

Pyraclostrobin (F500), an agricultural fungicide derived from the fungal sec-ondary metabolite strobilurin, is known to enhance growth and yield of cere-als when applied on healthy plants. A field experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of Pyraclostrobin (F500) on growth and yield of healthy plants of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum graecum L.) var. Pusa early under field conditions. Pyraclostrobin (F500) was applied as a foliar spray in the four different concentrations (0.005 g L-1, 0.01 g L-1, 0.025 g L-1 and 0.1 g L-1), on 15th, 30th and 45th days after emergence of seedlings. Unsprayed plants served as control. F500 treatment enhanced the biomass (Plant height, fresh weight and dry weight) and yield parameters (Number of pods per plant, seeds per plant and 100 seed weight). Although enhancements in growth and yield parameters were observed with all the concentrations of F500 used, it was maximum at 0.01 g L-1 concentration. Enhanced biomass showed positive correlation with increase in yield and seed quality (seed weight per plant). Thus, F500 can be successfully employed as a foliar spray under field conditions to enhance the yield of T. foenum graecum.