Effect of neem (Azadirachta indica), parthenium (Parthenium hysterophorus) and garlic (Allium sativum) extracts on the incidence of powdery mildew of mulberry caused by Phyllactinia corylea

Abstract

Different concentrations of leaf extracts of neem and parthenium and bulb extract of garlic were tested to assess their effect on conidial germination of Phyllactinia corylea and powdery mildew disease development on mulberry leaves. All concentrations of garlic bulb extract and neem and parthenium leaf extracts were found to have inhibitory effect on conidial germination. Foliar spray with neem, Parthenium and garlic extracts on mulberry leaves significantly reduced the per cent disease index (PDI) from 50 to 5.8, 51 to 7.4 and 52 to 0.6 per cent, respectively. This was further supported by the improvement in chlorophyll, proteins and polyphenol contents of infected leaves sprayed with plant extracts as compared to control treatments. Garlic extracts showed maximum effects in disease control followed by neem and parthenium.