The Efficacy of Eco-friendly Botanicals in the Management of Damping-off and Downy Mildew Diseases of Cucumber

Experiments were conducted in 2011 and 2012 cropping seasons under field conditions to investigate the possible utilization of plant material extracts to manage damping-off and downy mildew diseases of cucumber. Three plant materials, i. e. ginger rhizomes, garlic bulbs, and neem leaves were extracted using water, at three different concentrations (4, 8, and 12 %), and tap water was used as a check. The results (combined for the two years) revealed that cucumber seeds treated with different plant material extracts at various concentrations significantly reduced the pre-and post-emergence damping-off diseases and increased the survival counts relative to control. From 4 weeks after planting, cucumber plants responded positively to weekly sprays of different plant extracts at all concentration tested and significantly suppressed the incidence and severity of downy mildew disease and thus enhanced the relative disease control. This resulted in improved growth and yield of cucumber plants when compared to check. The degree of effectiveness of plant extracts in the management of damping-off and downy mildew diseases of cucumber were ginger greater than neem greater than garlic and the most effective concentration level in this regard was 8 %.