In vitro evaluation of botanicals and bio-pesticides against the Fusarium wilt of carnation (Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. dianthi)

Carnation wilt disease caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. dianthi is the most serious disease of the carnation crop that restricts flower yield worldwide. In the present investigation, nine different bio-formulations were evaluated under in vitro conditions for their efficacy against the wilt pathogen and among these, Neemazal was found most effective and significantly superior amongst all the treatments with 73.06 per cent inhibition in mycelial growth of the wilt pathogen followed by extract of Eucalyptus globulus and Melia azedarach with 44.91 and 32.13 per cent inhibition in mycelial growth, respectively while the leaves extract of Aloe vera was found least effective with mycelial growth inhibition of 2.52 per cent only.