Author(s):

R Parimala Devi and P Marimuthu

Abstract: Plant diseases and pests cause major economic loss in agriculture, in addition to the poor quality of the agricultural products. Occurrence of Aspergillus niger in maize crop causes post harvest losses and deterioration of the maize grain quality. In the present study, the effect of Polymin 40 EC – a newly developed botanical formulation was evaluated for its effect on Aspergillus niger in maize crop under in vivo conditions. Different concentrations of Polymin 40 EC was tested for its effect on seed infection, germination and vigour of maize. The study revealed that, Polymin 40 EC at 2% concentration was effective in increasing the germination and vigour of maize seedlings, in addition to decrease in seed infection. Experiments conducted under pot culture conditions revealed that, application of 2% Polymin 40 EC increased the activity of plant defense enzymes like peroxidase (PO), polyphenol oxidase (PPO), phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) and phenol content of maize plant. The incidence of Aspergillus niger was found to be controlled effectively in maize crop through application of 2% Polymin 40 EC.

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