A Comparative Study of Plant Extracts and Biocontrol Agents for Managing Alternaria burnsii in Cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.): An In-vitro Assessment

Abstract

The objective of the current study was to assess the in-vitro efficacy of plant extracts and bio-agents in managing Alternaria burnsii, the causal agent of blight disease in cumin. Eleven plants extract were selected based on their availability in the local region and evaluated for antifungal activity in the laboratory for their effectiveness against A. burnsii. Plants extract was tested at four different concentrations 5%, 10%, 15% and 20% each by food poisoning technique. Additionally, four bio-agents, namely Trichoderma harzianum, T. viride, Pseudomonas fluorescens and Bacillus subtilis were evaluated against A. burnsii. The experiments were conducted from 2019 to 2021 at the Advanced Laboratory on Bioagents in the Plant Pathology Department, SKRAU, Bikaner. Among the plant extracts, Neem Seed Kernel Extract (NSKE) and Neem leaf extract were found to be the most effective, resulting in mean growth inhibition of 48.88 per cent and 45.85 per cent, respectively. The least per cent mean growth inhibition, 13.14 per cent, was recorded with Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus). Among the four different bio-agents, Trichoderma harzianum was found to be the most effective in suppressing the growth of the pathogen, achieving a growth inhibition of 69.63 per cent. This study provides valuable insights into the use of locally available plant extracts and bio-agents for the management of cumin blight, promoting eco-friendly approaches.