In vitro efficacy of chemicals, antibiotics and plant extract against bacterial soft rot in king chilli

Market areas of Ri-Bhoi and East Khasi Hills districts of Meghalaya were studied during August to September, 2011 to assess postharvest incidence and severity of bacterial soft rot in king chilli. Based on morphological and biochemical properties of the isolate, the pathogen was identified as Gram negative bacterium, Erwinia carotovora. The highest disease incidence and severity of king chilli soft rot was recorded in Nongpoh (30% and 12%, respectively) area of Ri-bhoi district, whereas the lowest was recorded in Laitumkhrah (8% and 4%, respectively) area of East Khasi Hills district of Meghalaya. In-vitro evaluation of chemicals showed that acetic acid (2.5%) was the most effective chemical with 25.00 mm zone of inhibition. Among the tested antiobiotics, streptocycline (500 ppm) showed maximum inhibition (30.00 mm). Among the plant extracts, the leaf extract (0.5%) of Datura stramonium (datura) found most effective against pathogen with 100% colony inhibition.