Assessment of Phytoextracts and Synthetic Chemicals for Controlling Leaf Blight of Syzygium Cumini

Abstract

Jamun (Syzygium cumini) is a distinguished source of protein, fat, minerals (Iron, Calcium, and Potassium), fiber, carbohydrates, phosphorous, and vitamin C (ascorbic acid). Leaf blight of S. cumini, caused by Pestalotiopsis spp., poses a potential threat to the successful production of Jamun fruit. The appearance of small, round, dark, and sunken spots on the fruit diminishes its quality and results in yield losses of 10 to 20%. Fungicides and plant extracts were employed to address this fungal problem under laboratory and greenhouse conditions using a Completely Randomized Design whereas field trials were performed using a Randomized Complete Block Design. In vitro experiments revealed that among the fungicides, minimum fungal growth was observed with Score (12.5 mm), followed by Topsin M (16.89 mm), Fossil (18.37 mm), Excel (23.17 mm), Evito (27.56 mm), and Bloom (32.32 mm), as compared to the control (55.56 mm). Among the phytoextracts, Moringa extracts showed the least fungal growth (15.7 mm), followed by Neem (18.76 mm), Eucalyptus (19 mm), Garlic (22.72 mm), Ginger (27.57 mm), and Cinnamomum verum (Dar Cheni) (31 mm), in comparison to the control (53.17 mm). The most effective fungicides and plant extracts determined in the laboratory experiments were further evaluated in greenhouse and field conditions, both alone and in combinations. In the greenhouse evaluation, the combination of Moringa + Score exhibited the lowest disease incidence (23.63%), followed by Score (28.12%) and Moringa (29.56%), in contrast to the control (52.9%). Under field conditions, among all treatments, Moringa + Score exhibited the least disease incidence of 17.44%. These findings confirm that leaf blight of S. cumini can be managed by using Score fungicide and Moringa oleifera extract.