In vitro evaluation of different Phyto-extracts against Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense causing Panama wilt disease in Banana

Banana is one of the most important and widely consumed fruit crop in the world. Out of several diseases Panama wilt caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense (Foc) is one of the most important limiting factor which reduces the potential yield of the crop. To offer an attractive and environmentally sound alternative for the control of Fusarium wilt of banana as chemicals pose threat to environment, efficacy of botanicals against Foc was analysed in-vitro. Among fourteen different plant products tested in two different concentrations 15% and 20%, leaf extracts of Guava and deodar were found to be best in 15% concentration and reduced 83.6% and 80.9% radial growth of the causal pathogen followed by Allamanda leaves with 78.2% control. In 20% Kochilla leaf extract showed highest 87.9% radial growth inhibition of Foc followed by Mahaneem leves and garlic bulb with 86.1% and 85.7% growth inhibition respectively.