Efficacy of certain botanicals in the management of blast of paddy (Oryza sativa L.) caused by Pyricularia oryzae

Abstract

Paddy blast disease caused by Pyricularia oryzae (Magnaporthe grisea) causes significant yield loss in India. This study was conducted to isolate, identify and characterize the pathogen (using morphological, physiological and biochemical methods). The blast appears every year in varying intensity and cause heavy losses in yield. Studies were conducted on the isolation, pathogenicity of Pyricularia oryzae on paddy, botanicals against Pyricularia oryzae causes blast of paddy. Two botanical viz. neem, tulsi, and carbendazim, used in present studies were evaluated under in vitro against Pyricularia oryzae by poisoned food technique at 10.00 per cent concentration of incubation. The maximum per cent inhibition of mycelial growth was recorded T3-Carbendazim (89.67%), T1-Neem (Azadirachta indica) (57.48%), T2-Tulsi (leaf) (45.00%), as compared to control (00.00%), in botanical whereas the Pyricularia oryzae maximum disease intensity (%) was recorded in T1Neem Leaf Extract @ 10% FS (Azadirachta indica) (24.57) as compared to treated (13.12) T0 untreated check (30.31).