Aqueous leaf extracts (2.0%) of fifteen locally available plants were evaluated in vitro against Alternaria lini, the causal organism of leaf and bud blight in linseed. Maximum inhibition was recorded with Azadirachta indica (67.7%) followed by Lawsonia inermis (63.0%), Datura metel (39.2%), Calotropis procera, Lantana camara (36.6%) and Citrus sp. (28.1%). Others had either low or no fungitoxic effect. The inhibitory effect was higher (97.7 to 50.2%) at higher (5.0%) concentration. Foliar spray of six plant extracts controlled the disease significantly and enhanced grain yield (48.5 to 9.4%), in the same order under field conditions.
Alternaria lini, Linum usitatissimum, Plant extracts
