Disease intensity and eco-friendly management of Alternaria alternata in chili (Capsicum annuum L.)

Fruit rot of chili caused by Alternaria alternata is the most commonly occurring fungi affecting the crop. Present study was carried out on survey, intensity and management of causal fungus of chili fruit rot. The chili fruit rot incidence during the survey of fields/commercial markets carried out in the surroundings of Hyderabad, Mirpur Khas, Tando Allahyar and Umer Kote districts was ranged from 14.33-36.66 %. On overall basis Umer Kote district revealed significantly highest (31.44%) fruit rot incidence compared to Tando Allahyar (26.89%) and Hyderabad (26.56%). However, it was lowest in Mirpur Khas (19.00%). Among the 12 different locations (villages and markets) from four major chili growing districts, maximum incidence of chilli fruit rot was recorded at Sultanabad (36.66%) followed by Village Mustafa Arain (35.33%), whereas, the minimum fruit rot incidence (14.33%) was observed at Khawaja Village followed by Dah hoti (18.66%). All the 22 tested botanical treatments gave inhibitory effects; however, significantly lowest radial mycelial colony growth and greatest reduction of A. alternata was induced by extract from Amomum subulatum (22.94mm and 74.51%) followed by Azadirachta indica seed (24.15mm and 73.16%).The maximum radial mycelial colony growth and lowest reduction of A. alternata was recorded in control (90.00mm and 00.0%) followed by the extract from Syzygium aromaticum (66.17mm and 26.48%).The efficacy of other tested botanicals remained moderate. Hence several botanical extracts which are more effective in suppressing chilli fruit diseases caused by A. alternata may be commercially prepared and used for integrated chilli fruit rot management, with a hope that it will be helpful for the end users.