Management of grain discoloration of rice with solvent-free EC formulations of neem and pungam oils

Neem and pungam oil-based emulsifiable concentrate (EC) formulations develo ped at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University were evaluated for their efficacy to inhibit the mycelial growth of the fungi Helminthosporium oryzae and Py ricularia oryzae causing grain discoloration on rice under in vitro conditi ons. All three formulations, viz., neem oil 60 EC (acetic acid), neem oil 6 0 EC (citric acid) and neem oil + pungam oil 60 EC (citric acid), inhibited mycelial growth of the pathogens; they were effective even after 9 months of storage. These formulations effectively controlled the grain discolorati on on rice.