Efficacy of Some Botanical Extracts on the Control of Late Blight Disease in Experimental Potato Field

Late blight caused by Phytophthora infestans (Mont.) De Bary is the most devastating disease of potato. This study was carried out to evaluate the efficacy of ten botanical extracts against the late blight disease incidence and severity in experimental potato field at University of Rajshahi, Bangladesh during 2019-2020. Crude aqueous extract of leaves of Syzygium cumini, Psidium guajava, Eucalyptus globusus, Carica papaya and Lawsonia inermis; fruits of Terminalia bellirica, T. chebula and Piper nigrum; flower buds of Syzygium aromaticum and cloves of Allium sativum were used at 5% (w/v) concentration for evaluation. Out of ten botanicals, Syzygium cumini leaves extract was found most effective in controlling the late blight disease incidence and severity up to 66 DAS (days after sowing) and increased the potato yield by 71.29% compare to untreated control. The efficacy of Lawsonia inermis extract against late blight disease was found promising and increased the potato yield by 48.51%. Other four botanical extracts (Terminalia chebula, Piper nigrum, Syzygium aromaticum and Carica papaya) showed moderate efficacy against the incidence and severity of late blight disease, and increased 30% more potato yield compare to control. These results suggest that botanical extract of Syzygium cumini has a great potential as an alternative of chemical fungicides to control the late blight disease of potato in eco-friendly way.