Eco-friendly management of Alternaria leaf spot disease of brinjal in Kashmir

Abstract

Alternaria leaf spot caused by Alternaria alternata is one of the important foliar diseases of brinjal (Solanum melongena L.). The study focused on sustainable and eco-friendly management of Alternaria leaf spot of brinjal in Kashmir valley. The pathogen associated with the disease was identified as Alternaria alternate. The efficacy of various bio-agents and plant extracts was carried out in vitro and Trichoderma harzianum showed highest inhibition among bioagents and among plant extracts Garlic bulb extract showed maximum mycelial growth inhibition. Eco-friendly disease management in the field with most effective bio-agents and plant extracts evaluated in vivo showed that seed treatment with T. harzianum and three foliar spray with Garlic clove extract could effectively manage the disease with lowest disease incidence of 19.13 per cent and intensity of 9.02 per cent respectively and highest fruit yield of 197.80 q/ha, as compared to control plot showing highest disease incidence of 65.51 per cent and intensity of 34.51 per cent respectively with lowest fruit yield of 106.46 q/ha.