Evaluation of botanicals against sclerotinia stalk rot in cauliflower

Brassica oleracea L. commonly known as cauliflower is one of the most important cole crops. However, cauliflower production faces substantial yield losses due to various constraints including diseases caused by fungi and other microorganisms. Sclerotinia sclerotiorum is a major soil-borne fungal pathogen that causes sclerotinia rot (White mold) disease in cauliflower with a 40–80% yield loss in extreme cases. Traditional management strategies, heavily dependent on chemical fungicides, raise concerns about environmental stability and food safety. Keeping this in mind, the present investigation aimed at isolation, and in vitro evaluation of the efficacy of botanical extracts against S. sclerotiorum through poisoned food technique. The investigation quantifies the antifungal effect of 5 different plants including Azadirachta indica, Adhatoda vasica, Vitex negundo, Acorus calamus, and Calotropis procera at 1, 2.5, 5, and 10% conc. Out of all the botanicals tested, the maximum inhibition (100%) of mycelial growth of the pathogen was recorded in the rhizome extract of A. calamus both at 10 and 5% conc. A. vasica caused 93% inhibition at 5% conc followed by A. indica (88.6%), and Vitex negundo (88.4%). The minimum inhibition of 77% was reported in C. procera. Concentration-wise, the greater mycelial inhibition was observed in 10% followed by 5, 2.5, and 1%. These findings emphasize the potential of botanicals as sustainable and environmentally friendly alternatives to chemical fungicides for the effective management of S. sclerotiorum, contributing to improved disease control strategies in cauliflower cultivation.