Project No. : WB-01/2012-13
Year. : 2012-13
Project Title: Study of Fungal Diseases of Some Important Medicinal Plants in 24 Parganas (N), West Bengal
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Principal Investigator & Organization : Dr. Swapan Kumar Ghosh, Rama Krishna Mission Vivekananda Centenary College, Rahara, Kolkata - 700118
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Summary of Project / Major Outcome /Achievements : Medicinal plants have enormous potential for healing different ailments, but diseased medicinal plants infected by fungi can lead the treatment in a health hazardous way. Genus Alternaria is wide spread across plants, season and geographic region. It can produce several mycotoxins and other secondary metabolites in infected plants or in agricultural commodities. Its mycotoxinare are also toxic for several animals and human beings. A correct identification of Alternaria species and proper disease management in plants may be an important step for mitigating the toxicological risk related to contamination of Agricultural commodities. In a survey for fungal diseases in medicinal plants, Alternaria species came in to lime light from West Bengal during year 2013-15. Percentage of Disease Incidence (PDI) for Ocimum leaf blight, Aloe leaf spot and Bacopa leaf blight were recorded highest during hot and humid months (April to September) and Bacopa leaf blight was reported first time during this research. In search of antagonistic fungi, Trichoderma viride was found effective for management of plant disease caused by Alternaria species.
