Dravya: a putative organic treatment against Alternaria padwickii infection in paddy

Abstract

In the present study, Dravya- an organic compound used for seed treatment along with the common fungicides to test its compatibility in the management of Alternaria padwickii in paddy. Dravya (a sea weed extract) was found highly compatible with fungicides like Bavistin and Dithane M-45. Incidence of Alternaria padwickii and Bipolaris oryzae was also reduced to a greater extent in the paddy seed samples of Dravya treatment. On the other hand, it also enhanced the seed germination and seedling vigour. Seedlings of treated samples also showed enhanced activity of peroxidase upon challenge inoculation with Alternaria padwickii. The enzyme activity in the seedlings challenged with the pathogen was two fold more over control. The suppression in disease incidence in growing plants indicated the promising effect of Dravya and Dithane M-45 under green-house conditions.