ECO-FRIENDLY MANAGEMENT OF SCLEROTIUM ROLFSII CAUSING ROOT ROT DISEASE IN CHILLI.

Synthetically chemical fungicides have long been used to reduce the incidence of plant diseases. However they are costly, can have negative effects on the environment and may induce pathogens resistance. The application of chemical compounds is consider as the most in expensive and common method in plant disease control. Therefore efficacy of leaves extracts of Annona squamosa Linn, Brassica campestris Linn. (Sarson) and Ocimum sanctum Linn against Sclerotium rolfsii was studied. The in vitro antifungal activity of these Annona squamosa Linn, Brassica campestris Linn. (Sarson) and Ocimum sanctum Linn leaves extract was investigated. The medicinal plant leaves extract of 10%, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% (without treatment serve as control) in aqueous medium were select for made. Inhibited values recorded. In the case of Brassica campestris Linn (Sarson) 8.534, 9.302, 11.24 and 10.86 percentage of inhibition recorded at 10, 25, 50 and 75 percent concentration after 72 hours incubation periods. The Annona squamosa Linn leaves gave 21.33mm mycelial growth at 25 percent concentration of with 3.045 percent of inhibition 77.33mm mycelial growth at 50 percent aqueous concentration gave 3.337 least percentage of inhibition. The Ocimum spp. revealed 32.00 and 30.68 percentage of inhibition with 17mm and 17.33mm mycelial growth at 50 & 75 percentage concentration of Ocimum spp. aqueous leaves extract after 24 hours. The maximum inhibition was 74.33mm and 73.33mm at 25 percent and 50 percent of Ocimum spp. aqueous leaves extract after 72 hours of incubation period. All used concentration of three medicinal plant leaves extracts effectively suppress the radial mycelial growth of Sclerotium rolfsii ranging from 2.197% of inhibition in Ocimum spp. at 25% of concentration after 72 hours, to 32.00% of inhibition in same Ocimum spp. leaves extract at 50% concentration leaves aqueous leaves extract after 24 hours incubation periods. However 0% gave by Brassica compestris leaves extract of 10 & 25 concentration after 24 hours of incubation period. The present study was conducted with an aim of determining antifungal activity of medicinal plant leaves extract of Annona squamosa, Brassica campestris Linn. (Sarson) and Ocimum sanctum Linn.