EFFECT OF NEEM OIL ON IN-VITRO GROWTH OF ROOT INFECTING FUNGI

Effect of neem oil and benomyl on the growth of root infecting fungi v iz., Macrophomina phaseolina, Rhizoctonia solani and Fusarium monilifo rme was examined. Benomyl showed greater suppression in growth of R. s olani and F. moniliforme than neem oil whereas neem oil @ 0.1% was mor e effective against M. phaseolina than benomyl. Efficacy of benomyl an d neem oil increased with increase in concentration. Neem oil extracte d from seed samples collected from different localities showed variabl e suppression of growth of the test fungi.