Efficacy of different phytoextracts against Erysiphe cichoracearum dc causing powdery mildew of okra

Abstract

Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench.) is one of the most important vegetable crops grown in India. Powdery mildew caused by Erysiphe cichoracearum DC is one of the major constraints in the production of okra. In order to find out the efficacy of various phyto extract against Erysiphe cichoracearum experiment was carried out under in vitro condition. The relative efficacy of nine different phytoextracts were tested in different concentrations and different time of interval 24, 48 and 72 hours, respectively. Out of nine phytoextracts tested, six phytoextracts showed more than 50% inhibition at all concentrations on different time interval. Neem leaf extract and garlic cloves extracts found best in spore germination inhibition at all the concentrations on different time interval. The significantly highest spore germination inhibition (82.23%) was recorded at 10 per cent concentration of neem followed by 10 per cent concentration of garlic (80.09%) on 72 hrs after the treatment.