EVALUATION OF DIFFERENT FUNGICIDES, BOTANICAL EXTRACTS AND BIOCONTROL AGENTS AGAINST ALTERNARIA ALTERNATA THE CAUSAL AGENT OF LEAF SPOT IN SPINACH

Abstract

Alternaria disease is among the most important diseases of Spinach throughout the world. They affect primarily the leaves. Alternaria spp. is major plant pathogens, which cause at least 20% of agricultural spoilage most severe losses may reach up to 80%.This study was carried out to study the in-vitro efficacy of different fungicides, botanical extracts and bio-control agent against leaf spot disease of spinach caused by Alternaria alternate. Cabrio top showed minimum mycelial colony growth (23, 21 and 17 mm) at various concentrations 100, 200 and 300 ppm, respectively, followed by Topsin-M (44.5, 33 and 19 mm), Melodyduo (33, 26.5 and 22.5 mm), Prevail (43.5, 37 and 22.5 mm) and Antracol (41, 33 and 24 mm) at various concentrations 100, 200 and 300 ppm, respectively. However, in control, the mycelial colony growth of A. alternata causing leaf spot disease was recorded as 90 mm at 100, 200 and 300 ppm concentrations. Minimum mycelia colony growth (43, 35 and 15 mm) was recorded at 5, 10 and 15% concentration for Aak followed by Garlic (43.5, 33 and 20 mm), Neem (49, 38.5 and 23 mm), Onion (57.4, 50.25 and 27.65 mm) and Eucalyptus (57.9, 51.4 and 33.45 mm) and maximum mycelial colony growth (90.00 mm) were recorded in control. Minimum mycelial colony growth of A. alternata was observed for Neurospora spp. (47.00 mm) followed by Hypocrea sp. (48.00 mm), Lasodiplodia sp. (49.5 mm), Fusarium sp. (57.5 mm) and Chactomium sp. (57.5 mm). Maximum mycelial colony growth (90 mm) was recorded in control.