EFFECT OF VERMIWASH (AS POTENTIAL FUNGICIDE) PRODUCED USING MEDICINAL PLANTS AGAINST THE Alternaria

Chemical pesticides have been shown to have a deleterious impact on plant growth. Organic botanicals are less toxic and more effective at warding off pests and diseases. Vermiwash is a potential bio-pesticide that could be used to improve plant production and resistance to certain hazardous plant diseases, as well as provide waste disposal benefits. Alternaria rot, caused by the fungus Alternaria alternata (Fr.) Keissl, is a widespread soil-borne infection that causes cucumber, pepper, and other cash crops to rot after harvest. Alternaria rot might have a significant impact on the production and distribution of Cucumis sativus L. (cucumber). Fungicides are the usual remedy, but they are not only expensive, but they can also be harmful to the environment and human health. The current study was conducted at the University of Guyana in 2013-14 to determine the efficacy of vermiwash made from various medicinal plants against fungus that affects cucumber. Vermiwash was made from a variety of medicinal plants (Ocimum tenuiflorum L. Tulsi, Azadirachta indica A. Juss. neem, Cymbopogon citratus (DC. ex Nees) Stapf. lemon grass, and Oryza sativa L. paddy straw) and applied to A. alternata in vitro to see if it could be used as an organic alternative to traditional fung When A. indica and O. tenuiflorum were used to make the vermiwash, the inhibitive effects on the fungus appeared to be the most effective. Vermiwash from O. tenuiflorum demonstrated the highest percent of inhibition (93.2%) using the serial dilution method, followed by C. citratus (74.7%), A. indica (68.7%), O. sativa, combination, and combination without worms. All of the samples produced zones of inhibition against A. alternata using the sterile disc diffusion method. A zone of inhibition of 15.3 mm was formed by vermiwash from A. indica, followed by O. tenuiflorum (14.0 mm), combination without worms, combination, C. citratus, and O. sativa. Nystatin created a 10mm inhibitory zone. The findings suggest that vermiwash isn't just an organic alternative to more standard chemical fungicides; it could also be a better and more effective treatment for certain fungal plant illnesses, particularly A. alternata.

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