Efficacy of Some Phyto-Extracts Against Pearl Millet Blast Disease Caused by Pyricularia grisea

Pearl millet leaf blast disease, caused by the fungus Pyricularia grisea, represents a significant and recurring foliar threat to Pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.) growing areas, especially in Indian climatic conditions. To manage this disease, six aqueous extracts from different plants, Allium sativum, Alstonia scholaris, Azadirachta indica, Calotropis procera, Tinospora cordifolia, and Zingiber officinale were evaluated under laboratory conditions. All the extracts, at varying concentrations, significantly inhibited the mycelial growth of the pathogen compared to the control. The neem leaf extract was most effective in inhibiting the mycelial growth of P. grisea, and mycelial inhibition of 35.50, 53.30, and 61.10% was recorded at the three concentrations used. The ginger extract was the second-best treatment. Under field conditions, the two sprays of neem leaf extract (10%) were applied. The first spray was used after disease initiation and repeated after 15-day intervals of the first spray. The lowest disease severity was 31.18%, with a maximum reduction in disease to 52.34% compared to the control (65.42%). Ginger rhizome extract showed promising results, with 36.83% disease incidence and 43.70% disease control. However, Alstonia extract was the least active, with disease control of 22.10% only. These findings suggest that neem and ginger extracts could be eco-friendly biocontrol agents for controlling pearl millet blast disease in integrated disease management of the crop.. KEYWORDS :Biopesticides, Blast disease, Botanicals, Pearl millet, Pennisetum glaucum, Pyricularia grisea