Evaluation of Fungicides and Biosynthesized Silver Nanoparticles Against Leaf Spot Pathogen in Alfalfa (Medicago sativa)

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa), a member of the Fabaceae family, is recognized as the world's oldest and most significant forage crop, often called the 'queen of forage'.  There are various distinct fungal, bacterial and viral diseases commonly found in alfalfa. There are many challenges to alfalfa production but leaf spot has a major threat to alfalfa crop in Pakistan. It is caused by Curvularia buchloes. It causes significant economic losses worldwide.  Keeping in view high yield losses due to this disease, this research was mainly dealt with disease management. Alfalfa crop was growing in green house and field. Curvularia spp. was acquired from Fungal Molecular Biology Lab (FMB-CC), University of Agriculture Faisalabad. Culture was revived for pathogenicity confirmation. Different disease management strategies included fungicides and silver nanoparticles were used. Silver nanoparticles were biogenically synthesized using a fungal/bacterial strain, and their antifungal potential was evaluated. Selected fungicides at different concentrations were also used to evaluate and in combination with Silver nanoparticles to find out the optimum and most effective combination and concentration reduce the growth of fungal pathogens. Data was statistically analyzed. The research was conducted in experimental area of the Department of Plant Pathology, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad under randomized complete block design (RCBD).