Use Of Neem In Integrated Management Of Rot Diseases Of Small Cardamom (Elettaria Cardamomum Maton)

Extracts of neem and neem products were tested against the rot pathogens, Rhizoctonia solani and Phytophthora meadii under in vitro and field conditions. Aqueous extracts prepared from neem leaf, unripened neem fruits, neem seeds and also commercially available neem based formulations such as neen oil, kemisal, Azabin-NSB and Neem Gold were used for inhibiting the pathogen. In vitro studies showed 80 to 100 per cent growth inhibition on R. solani and P. meadii with all the products tested. The minimum inhibiting concentration causing above 80 per cent inhibition was applied in seedlings in pot culture and on mature plants in the field. The potentiality of neem products in controlling rot-diseases of cardamom is discussed in this paper.