Studies on symptomatology, host range and management by botanicals against Alternaria alternata of Canna (Canna indica (Fr.) Keissler)

In vitro screening of alternaria blight for the host range studies was conducted on different ornamentals viz., gerbera, marigold, hibiscus, spider lily, heliconia, dracena, mussaenda, croton, acalypha and aglaonema. Among these, pathogen could infect gerbera (Gerbera jamesonii), marigold (Tagetes erecta), heliconia (Heliconia psittacorum) and mussaenda (Mussaenda erythrophylla).In vitro screening of the plant extracts revealed that the nut extract of soapnut (Sapindus laurifolius L.) was most effective in inhibiting the growth of the test fungus followed by neem.