Effect of fungicides on late blight control and yield loss of potato in the western highlands of Cameroon

Abstract

Abstract The effect of five fungicides on the control of potato late blight and yield loss was tested in 1990 and 1991 cropping seasons in two locations in the western highlands of Cameroon. In both seasons, epidemic rate and area under disease‐progress curve were significantly reduced in sprayed plots while tuber weight and yield increased. Actual tuber yield varied with fungicidal treatment, location of the experiment, and planting season. The highest yields were obtained in plots treated with mancozèb or Ridomil plus (metalaxyl + cuprous oxide), followed by maneb, cupric hydroxide, and fosetyl‐AI. Yield reductions by the control were 27–52% in Dschang and 25–71 % in Bansoa. Keywords: Solanum tuberosumPhytophthora infestansfungicidesyield lossCameroon