In vivo and in vitro assessment of plant extracts against the Bipolaris sorokiniana disease causing spot blotch of wheat

Spot blotch caused by Bipolaris sorokiniana is a major disease of wheat in warm and humid regions of the world including Southeast Asian countries such as India, Nepal, and Bangladesh, and the disease is very significant, especially in North Eastern Plains Zone (NEPZ) of India.Among botanicals eucalyptus leaf extract was highly effective in inhibiting the growth of B. sorokiniana. Garlic clove extract was second best plant extract in inhibiting the growth of B. sorokiniana. All six plant extracts (garlic clove, eucalyptus leaf, neem leaf, onion bulb, ginger rhizome, and black cumin) could significantly reduce PDI when compared with untreated check. Two sprays of garlic clove and eucalyptus leaf extracts @ five percent were equally effective in reducing disease to 50 percent and increasing grain yield.