Control of Erysiphe pisi Causing Powdery Mildew of Pea (Pisum sativum) by Cashewnut (Anacardium occidentale) Shell Extract

The effect of methanolic extract of cashewnut (Anacardium occidentale) shell extract was seen on conidial germination of Erysiphe pisi and powdery mildew development in pea (Pisum sativum). Maximum conidial germination inhibition of E. pisi on glass slides was observed at 300 ppm. Similar effect on floated pea leaves was observed after 48 h at the same concentration. Conidial germination on intact untreated pea leaves was also assessed on II and IV nodal leaves while IV and II nodal leaves were treated with the extract and vice versa. There was tremendous reduction in conidial germination on all the nodal leaves. The disease intensity of pea powdery mildew was significantly reduced by methanolic extract of cashewnut shells. Maximum reduction was observed with 200 ppm where 39% disease intensity was recorded in comparison to 96.53% in the control. The phenolic acid content of pea leaves following treatments with this extract varied and no definite pattern was observed. Out of several phenolic compounds, namely, gallic, ferulic, chlorogenic, and cinnamic acids, only gallic acid was found to be present consistently in all the treatments with varied amounts.

Antifungal Activity of Nor-securinine Against Some Phytopathogenic Fungi

Crude extracts and active principles from medicinal plants have shown potential role in controlling plant diseases in glasshouses as well as in fields as one of the safest and ecofriendly methods. The effect of nor-securinine (an alkaloid) isolated from Phyllanthus amarus has been seen against spore germination of some fungi (Alternaria brassicae, A. solani, Curvularia pennisetti, Curvularia sp., Erysiphe pisi, Helminthosporium frumentacei) as well as pea powdery mildew (Erysiphe pisi) under glasshouse conditions. The sensitivity of fungi to nor-securinine varied considerably. Nor-securinine was effective against most of the fungi. H. frumentacei was more sensitive even at the lowest concentration (1,000 microg/ml). Likewise conidia of E. pisi were also inhibited in partially or completely appressorium formation. Pre-inoculation treatment showed greater efficacy than post-inoculation in inhibiting powdery mildew development on pea plants in a glasshouse. Maximum inhibition occurred at 2000 microg/ml

Effect of the Mixture of Two Plant Alkaloids Isolated from Corydalis longipes Against Balsam Powdery Mildew on Detached Leaves and Pea Powdery Mildew in Field

N-Methylhydrasteine hydroxylactam and 1-methoxyberberine chloride, both alkaloids, extracted from Corydalis longipes have been assayed for their activities against two powdery mildews. The spore germination of Erysiphe cichoracearum on detached leaf of balsam(Impatiens balsaminia) following pre- and post-inoculation treatments by their mixture has shown high efficacy against the pathogen at 100, 200 and 300 microg/ml. The mixture was also effective at both pre- and post-inoculation treatments at 500, 1000, 1500 microg/ml doses against E. pisi causing pea powdery mildew in pea(Pisum sativum) under field conditions. The significant efficacy of the mixture of two compounds against spore germination on detached leaves of balsam and also under field conditions in pea warrants its inclusion in trials against some other diseases under field conditions.