In Vitro Evaluation of Botanicals, Bio-Agents and Fungicides against Leaf Blight of Etlingera linguiformis Caused by Curvularia lunata Var. Aeria

Abstract

The present study was attempted with the objective of screening the potential antifungal activities of eight fungicides, nine plant extracts and five bio-agents in vitro against leaf blight of E. linguiformis caused by C. lunata var. aeria. Mancozeb at 0.3% (97.37% inhibition) was found to be significantly superior among the non-systemic fungicides evaluated at three concentrations (0.1, 0.2 and 0.3%). Among the systemic fungicides, metalaxyl showed 98.48% inhibition of mycelial growth at 0.3% concentration followed by carbendazim (95.25% inhibition at 0.3%). Among the plant extracts, Millettia pachycarpa root extracts (55.78) at 10 per cent was superior followed by Acorus calamus with 53.40% inhibition at 10 per cent. Among the bio-agents tested, Trichoderma harzianum showed maximum inhibition of 68.85 per cent inhibition. The study indicated that suitable integration of more efficient ecofriendly treatments like bio-agents and botanicals with lesser use of fungicides may provide effective management of the disease.