Evaluation of homeopathic drugs for the management of Alternaria solani causing leaf spot disease in tomato under controlled conditions

Abstract

Man is dependent on plants for almost every need and requirement. Hence, destruction of crop plants due to infection by fungal pathogens has always been an area of prime concern. The use of synthetic fungicides for disease management is harmful for human and animal health as well as soil. They enter the food chain and cause several deleterious effects on biosphere, contributing to significant declines in populations of beneficial soil organisms, soil acidification and compaction, thatch accumulation, and diminished resistance to diseases. Natural plant products are important sources of new agrochemicals for the control of plant diseases. Therefore, the In vitro evaluation of Homeopathic drugs against Alternaria solani was carried out at M.P.K.V, Rahuri. Total 20 different Homeopathic drugs were evaluated at 10%, 15% and 20% concentration by Poison food technique against these pathogens. Among the 20 different homeopathic drugs, Sulphur, Pulsatila nigricans, Podophyllum pellatum, Cina, Lycopodium clavatum, Nux vomica, Dulcamara, Colocynthis, Aconitum napellun, Natrum muriatum, Rhux toxicodendron, Arnica montana, Hepar sulphur, Arsenicum album were showed 100% inhibition over the growth of Alternaria solani were effective at 20% concentration. The drugs like Apis melifera, Cinchona officinalis, Sepia and Calcaria carbonica showed 87.78, 80.00, 64.44 and 57.78 % inhibition over Alternaria solani respectively.