Antifungal activity of essential oils on phomopsis azadirachtae causing die-back of neem

Abstract

Phomopsis azadirachtae is a phytopathogenic fungus that causes die-back of neem. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antifungal activity of five essential oils on the growth of Phomopsis azadirachtae isolated from die-back infected neem twigs. The poisoned food method was used to test the antifungal activity of essential oils against P. azadirachtae at 0, 100, 200, 300 and 400 ppm concentrations. Except cinnamon oil all other oils tested viz., basil oil, camphor oil, lavender oil and rose oil completely inhibited the mycelial growth of the pathogen at 400 ppm concentration. At 300 ppm concentration all the five essentials oils inhibited the phytotoxin production by P. azadirachtae.