Abstract:
Plant extracts for the control of plant disease are emerging as alternatives to
conventional fungicide as they are generally safe to humans and environmentally
friendly. Extracts of neem (Azadiracha indica) leaves were screened in vitro and in
vivo against the fungal banana pathoge� Col/etotrichum musae. Neem extracts
inhibited mycelial growth of C. musae. A. indica extract at 20% concentration
completely inhibited the growth of C. musae. Thus, this fungistatic concentration of
neem extract was tested in vivo at room temperature (28
°
C) against anthracnose
disease on the banana (Musa sepientum cv. Berangan). Neem extract was found to be
very effective in reducing the incidence of disease better than a standard treatment
with the fungicide benomyl. Neem extract showed lowest values on physical
chemical parameters such as chroma, firmness and total soluble solid compared with
banana treated by benomyl and control. However, these neem extract was suitable to
be used as biofungicide on inhibition of C. musae that cause anthracnose in bananas.
