Antifungal activity of different botanicals from himalayan hills against Rhizoctonia solani

The antifungal activity of extracts of different botanicals belonging to 21 families was evaluated against Rhlzoctonia solanl causing storage rhizome rot of ginger (Zlnglber officinale). Screening for antifungal activity of the phytoaqueous extracts of different plant parts of 30 plants was performed by paper disc bioassay. Maximum per cent Inhibition of mycelial growth was observed at 48 hrs. Out of these botanicals, Argemone maxlcana was significantly more effective (30.74%), followed by Phaseolus vulgaris (29.23%), Mella azaderach (26.470%), Parthenium hysterophorus (25.83%), Coleus barbatus (24.560%), Xanthoxylum alatum (24.49%), Tagetes erecta and Taraxcum officinale (23.21%), Oclmum sanctum (22.64%) and Urtlca dlolca (21.46%) than the other botanicals. Based on the present study It can be concluded that these botanicals will be useful for the formulation of safer and more economical botanical pesticides.