Eco-friendly management of okra powdery mildew (Erysiphe cichoracearum) using bio-agents, plant extracts and essential oils

Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench, also known as lady’s finger, is a vital vegetable crop belonging to the Malvaceae family. It is predominantly cultivated in tropical and subtropical climates and is highly valued for its nutritional, medicinal, and economic importance. Powdery mildew caused by Erysiphe cichoracearum is one of the most widely spread, destructive disease and limiting factor in the production of okra in Marathwada region of Maharashtra State. Studies conducted to find out eco-friendly management strategies against okra powdery mildew using bioagents, plant extract and essential oils. Disease intensity declined after each spray. The essential oil Neem seed oil @ 4ml/L of water showed lowest mean disease intensity (25.18%) with maximum per cent disease control (62.24%). On the basis of effectiveness in controlling the powdery mildew disease of okra the treatments recorded in the order of merit were Neem seed oil (62.24%) @ 4ml/L, Neem leaf extract (54.35%) @ 10ml/L, Trichoderma harzianum (49.33%) @ 5ml/L, Trichoderma viride (46.52%) @ 5ml/L, Bacillus substilis (38.17%) @ 5ml/L, Onion extract (35.63%) @ 10ml/L and Eucalyptus oil (28.35%) @ 1ml/L of water.