Integrated management of foliar blast through ecofriendly formulated product,Oscext-e developed from Ocimum sanctum ethanolic extract

Ocimum sanctum ethanolic extract was combined with a formulating agent (coded B+) and named Oscext-e, and the product was bioassayed under in vitro conditions against Pyricularia grisea Sacc. that causes blast disease of rice. Fungitoxic patterns such as complete inhibition, granulation in cytoplasm, reduction in germ tube length, production of thinner or coiled germ tube in conidial germination and restriction in mycelial growth registered as evident through the present studies by various experimentation confirm the fungitoxic strength of importance in impairing the successful infection of the pathogen compared with normal infection. The formulated product, Oscext-e retained its fungitoxicity until 24 months storage period in all treatments. In a separate test of the product in greenhouse and field conditions, it was not only found to effectively reduce the foliar blast of rice crop but also found comparable with a standard fungicide carbendazim.