Abstract
A season wise survey was conducted on the fungal diseases of some important cultivated medicinal plants in two consecutive years 2014 and 2015 in the northern region of Bangladesh. Eleven fungal diseases namely root rot (Fusarium solani) and leaf blight (Alternaria alternata) of Ashwagandha, leaf spot (Curvularia lunata) and collar rot (Fusarium oxysporium) of Alovera, powdery mildew (Erysiphe sp.) and root rot (Fusarium oxysporium) of Tulsi, collar rot (Fusarium oxysporium) and leaf spot (Collettotrichum gloeosporioides) of Kalmegh, tuberous rot (Fusarium solani) and stem rot (Fusarium oxysporium) of Satamuli, and root rot (Fusarium solani) of Basak were recorded. Most of the diseases were found in the rainy season’s comparative to other seasons. Among all the above-mentioned diseases, the powdery mildew (Erysiphe sp.) of Tulsi was found mainly in winter season. With the spreading of these fungal diseases on medicinal plants could be a set back to the industry associated with the formulation of its medicinal products. Therefore, this work may encourage other researchers to study these diseases further for development of proper management.
 SAARC J. Agri., 17(2): 197-212 (2019)
Highlights
The importance of medicinal plants is increasing day by day
Several fungal diseases were found from the infected medicinal plants in survey areas
After identification of the pathogens the result indicated that the medicinal plant Withania somnifera was attacked by the leaf blight and root rot disease caused by Alternaria alternata and Fusarium solani, respectively
Summary
The importance of medicinal plants is increasing day by day. In recent years, traditional medicine has made a comeback for a variety of reasons including sideeffects and toxicity of modern synthetic drugs, evolution of multi-drug resistance microorganisms, and the inability of modern medicine to find effective cures for a number of diseases. Considering of its market potential, government and some non-government organization have taken mass program to cultivate medicinal plants in to the northern areas of Bangladesh organizing farmers of low-income group, especially the woman. Major cultivated plant species are Ashwagandha (Withaniasomnifera L.), Basak (Adhatodavasica), Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum L.), Kalmegh (Andographispaniculata), Aloevera (Aloe indica L.) and Satamuli (Asparagus racemosus). These medicinally important plants are facing serious problems of the fungal attack. In Northern area of Bangladesh the research in diseases of medicinal plants is very few or none.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
