Vol. 11, Issue 6 (2022)

Author(s):
Priya Singh, Md. Minnatullah, Sudhir Paswan and Aaradhna

Abstract:
Red rot disease of sugarcane caused by Colletotrichum falcatum is a major biotic threat for its production. The use of synthetic pesticide for combating this disease is posing many serious concerns for the environment. In the present study, six plant extracts viz. Neem (Azadirachta indica), Garlic (Allium sativum), Bael (Aegle marmelos), Onion (Allium cepa), Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum) and Aloe Vera (Aloe barbadensis) were evaluated for their efficacy against the C. falcatum. They were tested in vitro at different concentrations of 5, 10, 15 and 20% against the three isolates i.e. CF 01, CF 07 and CF 08 of the pathogen. Among the botanicals, Neem leaves extract were found most effective in suppressing mycelial growth of the pathogen at all the concentrations followed by Tulsi, Garlic, Aloe Vera, Onion and least inhibition was observed in Bael extracts for all three isolates CF 01, CF 07 and CF 08. The highest inhibition (80.19%) of CF 01 isolate was expressed by Neem at 20% concentration and least inhibition (5.37%) exhibited by Bael for isolate CF 08 at 5% concentration. The present study concluded that plant extracts can play a key role in the management of sugarcane red rot disease.