Nest construction, characteristics and relationship between plant height and nesting density of Red Tree Ant (Oecophylla smalagdiuna) in Mayiladuthurai area of Cauvery Delta, Tamil Nadu, Southern India

Abstract :

Fusarium wilt of banana, also called Panama disease, is one of the most important and destructive diseases of banana plant (Musa paradisiaca L.) in the world, which has been reported from all banana producing countries. Control of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. Cubense, the casual agent of wilt disease, by using the plant extracts has been evaluated as a strategy of biological control. The antifungal activity of different extracts of Justicia adhatoda L., Ocimum tenuiflorum L., Piper betle L. and Vitex negundo L. against F. oxysporum f. sp. cubense was evaluated by well diffusion method. The results revealed that the plant extracts of V. negundo L. exhibited maximum antifungal activity. In vitro screening of plant extracts showed encouraging results, and hence they could be potentially used in the management of Fusarium wilt in banana plant caused by F. oxysporum f. sp cubense.