Damping off (Falling down of small germinated seedlings or saplings) is a disease caused by fungus like pythium, Rhizoctonia, Phytopthora  species, which is most common at younger stage seedlings. A wide variety of vegetables and flowers can be affected by damping off. Young leaves, roots and stems of newly emerged seedlings are highly susceptible to infection

SYMPTOMS:

• Damping off can occurs in two stages, i.e. the pre-germination and the post-germination phase.
• In the pre-germination phase the seedlings are killed just before they reach the soil surface.
• The young radical and the plumule are killed and there is complete rotting of the seedlings.
• The post-germination phase is characterized by the infection of the young, juvenile tissues of the collar at the ground level.

The infected tissues become soft and water soaked. The seedlings topple over or collapse.

HOW DAMP-OA WORKS ON CONTROLLING THE DISEASE

It inactivates the enzymes through interactions with their NH2 and SH group which kills the disease-spreading spores by disrupting respiration within their cells. It does this either by residual action or, at higher temperatures, by volatilization.

DOSAGE AND SOLUTION PREPERATION:
Mix 5 gram of Damp-OA in 1 ltr of water, stir it well and the solution is ready for drenching (soil application)

METHOD OF APPLICATION:
Prepared solution should be poured on the soil like watering.

WHEN TO APPLY:
When you observe the disease symptoms that are mentioned on the picture, you can go for the drenching. Generally it can be done after 15 days once the germination of seeds takes place for all the crops

PREVENTIVE AND CONTROL MEASURES
1.Avoid evening watering and keep water on the soil
2.Use resistant varieties
3.Provide plant with plenty of light
4.Use well drained soil or potting mix
5.Avoid overcrowding of plants
6.Clean out all pots thoroughly before reuse and discard contaminated soil.

RESULT:
Damp OA increases germination percentage in the sown seeds. As a result plants get good vigor and healthy growth.