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| Antifungal Potential of Homeopathic Drugs to Control Anthracnose Disease of Chilli | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Paper Id :
17072 Submission Date :
2023-01-09 Acceptance Date :
2023-01-21 Publication Date :
2023-01-25
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| Abstract |
Fungal diseases cause heavy economic losses in the agricultural field. Fungal pathogens survive in the soil for years leading to the economically important crops. Capsicum annum (chilli) is an important vegetable crop and is affected by a variety of fungal diseases. Anthracnose and Powdery mildew are common. Anthracnose (fruit rot ) of chilli is caused by the fungus colletotrichum spp. which badly affects the chilli crop. Alternative techniques have been researched to control the pathogen. The present study investigates the fungal pathogens on chilli with special reference to certain homeopathic drugs as controlling agents. Chemical based techniques are usually used to control the fungal pathogens which results in harmful residues. The present study aimed to evaluate the antifungal potential of homeopathic drugs to control the fruit rot disease in chilli plants. In the present investigation four homeopathic drugs namely Aconite ,Arnica montana , Belladonna and Thuja occidentalis in 200CH dynamizations were selected to test their efficacy against anthracnose disease. The experiment was performed in vivo. We assessed in planta incidence and disease severity. The results showed that all homeopathic drugs tested at 200CH dynamization remarkably reduced the intensity of the fungal diseases comparatively to control treatment. The results obtained from the field experiment were significant (p < 0.05). Among all four homeopathic drugs tested, Thuja occidentalis at 200CH dynamization positively reduced the disease severity, while Belladonna 200CH was best to reduce the disease incidence.
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| Keywords | Homeopathy, Dynamizations, Capsicum Annum, Anthracnose, Powdery Mildew. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Introduction |
Chilli is one of the most important and valuable spice crops in India , also the largest produced spice crop in Asia. Capsaicin is produced by the plant as a defense against predators and microbes , particularly against Fusarium fungus that attack certain species of chilli peppers. Peppers increased the quantity of capsaicin in proportion to the infection caused by the fungal organisms on the plant's seed. Chilli crop is vulnerable to various diseases such as bacterial , fungal and viral. The diseases affect the yield and economic production.
Anthracnose disease has been reported to be a major constraint in chilli production causing huge losses. In India , a calculated loss of 10 to 54% has been reported in the yield of the crop due to anthracnose disease. Anthracnose (fruit rot) of chilli is caused by the fungus Colletotrichum spp.( Than , P.P.,et. al,2008). Powdery mildew of chilli is infected by the fungus Leveillula taurica (lev.) G.Arnaud.The disease causing heavy yield loss ranging from 14 to 30%,due to severe defoliation and reduction in size and number of fruits per plant.(Mathur , R.L.,et al,1972).
The fungal pathogens which cause disease survive in crop debris and infect other vegetable crops. The disease has the potential to spread rapidly and damage the crop vigorously. The causal fungal pathogens damage the leaves , stems and finally lead to the tuber rot. (Jones et al., 2014). M.Wenneker and J.Kanne (2010). In a field trial the effect of Potassium bicarbonate (Armicarb) on powdery mildew of gooseberry was evaluated.Four treatments ; i.e. two preventive strategies and two curative strategies , were applied. Plants were sprayed until runoff. The percent of infected berries , shoots and disease severity was assessed.High percentage of disease was observed in the untreated control. All Potassium bicarbonate treatments significantly reduced the powdery mildew severity in leaves and fruits compared to the untreated controls.
Thus, it is necessary to defend the crop by using low cost , easy to use by farmers and eco-friendly management strategies. Homeopathy , science developed by Hahnemann for over 200 years , offers an alternative of low cost and environmental friendly strategy for the control of crop diseases. (Modolon et. al., 2012). Homeopathic drugs involves in biological processes of plants due to secondary metabolites production which act as an environmental friendly without producing toxicity and leaving no residue (Bonato & Silva , 2003).Homeopathic drugs fulfill the promise due to antifungal properties (Sinha & Singh , 1983). Saxena et. al.(1987) observed inhibition of 22 genera of fungi associated with Okra seed treated with Thuja occidentalis , Nitric acidum and Sulphur in dynamization 200CH . Toledo (2009) showed reduction of 43% and 73% in severity of early blight (Alternaria solani) on tomato by spraying Sulphuricum 12 and 30 CH , respectively . Arnica Montana and Thuja occidentalis (30C) by using seed treatment and soil drenching methods showed significant suppression of Rhizoctonia solani , Fusarium spp. and Macrophomina phaseolina but also promote plant growth at 100% followed by 75 and 50% v/v concentration (prepared by 30C) on leguminous and non – leguminous crops (Hanif and Dawar , 2015).
Based on the previous aspects , safer and eco- friendly approaches of homeopathic drugs , the present research work aimed to control fungal diseases of chilli in vivo. The field experiment was conducted to study the antifungal activity of certain homeopathic drugs.
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| Objective of study | 1. Become aware of the importance of homeopathy as a scientifically founded alternative with a reduced environmental footprint.
2. Spread knowledge of homeopathic science as a tool for all segments of agriculture.
3. Observe the effect of homeopathic drugs on fungal disease (anthracnose ) of chilli crop. Here, it is possible to greatly minimize the damage.
4. Economic growth in the field of agriculture as homeopathic remedies are cost-effective. |
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| Review of Literature | Asma Hanif and Shahnaz Dawar (2020). Homeopathic
pellets and globules diffusates were used against Root rot and Root knot
pathogens on leguminous and non-leguminous crop plants. Tested seeds treated
with homeopathic pellets(Arnica montana, Thuja occidentalis, Kent-20
and Santonine-43) at 75 and 50 % v/w concentrations remarkably
enhanced the plant growth, improved the crop yield but also control the
pathogens. Ana Carolina Botelho dos Reis and Julia Ronzella
Ottoni (2021).Homeopathic medicines Sulphur , fungal Sclerotiorum
Nosode and Calcarea carbonica, in 30CH, 200CH, and 100CH
dynamizations were tested. All homeopathic medicines tested were able to
inhibit partially the development of the fungus in vitro. Calcarea carbonica at
the dynamization of 1000CH showed the best inhibitory effect on S.
Sclerotiorum, which under its effect produced a mycelial halo 40% smaller
than the control treatment. Bonato et al.,(2011). Application of high dilutions
of Belladonna in vitro affect the mycelia growth of Corynespora
cassiicola.The results showed that all dilutions of Belladonna (6,12,24
and 30dH) were effective. Gupta et al., (2015). In vitro, Thuja
occidentalis (30C and 200C) showed maximum inhibition against Candida
albicans. Hanif et al., (2015 ). Thuja occidentalis and Arnica
Montana (30C) pellets showed positive results when used in vitro and
in vivo experiments against root rot fungi. Hanif and Dawar (2015 b). Reported that by using
the concentration of 100, 75 and 50 percent of v/v of Thuja
occidentalis and Arnica Montana (30 C) used as a seed
treatment and soil drenching methods inhibit root rot fungi and enhanced the
growth of crop plants. Toledo, Stangarlin, and Bonato (2009) tested
the Sulphur homeopathic medicine in control of Alternaria
solani , a fungus responsible for early blight of tomato , inoculated
in tomato plants. Sulphur at the dynamizations of 12CH and
60CH reduced the disease severity in 48.82% and 56.47% respectively. Sinha and Singh (1983) verified that Sulphur, at 200CH, was able to inhibit the growth of the important aflatoxin producer Aspergillus parasiticus in 100%. Ashraful Alam, Sanjoy Kumar Adhikary and Mahatalat Ahmed,(2017). Arsenicum albumQ was significantly effective against Colletotrichum gleosporioides followed by the order of Arsenicum album<Selenium<Nux vomica<Belladonna<Calcarea fluorica.Treating with Arsenicum albumQ at 1000ppm on three varieties of mango, Limsagar (18.3%) showed the significant inhibition of percent disease incidence over control. |
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| Methodology | The homeopathic drugs selected for the present study were Arnica montana , Aconite , Belladonna and Thuja occidentalis. The homeopathic drugs were purchased in a specialized homeopathic pharmacy at a dynamization of 200CH (Centesimal Hahnemannian). Distilled water was used for control treatments.
Field Experiment -Field experiment was conducted at the screen house of Botany department M.M.H College , Ghaziabad (C.C.S University , Meerut).The experimental design was completely randomized blocks with four different treatments of homeopathic drugs namely Aconite 200CH , Arnica montana 200CH ,Belladonna 200CH and Thuja occidentalis 200CH. The control treatment was carried out simultaneously by using distilled water. The field was appropriately leveled with 2.5x2.5 microplots. Soil consists of natural infestation having Colletotrichum spp. and with PH 7.5 was used for the experiment. The intercrop distance maintained between the plants was 45 cm. For treatment ,the chilli seeds were soaked for 30 minutes in all four homeopathic drugs separately. While, non-treated seeds were served as control. Treated and non-treated seeds were sown and covered with soil. Each treatment was replicated thrice. Watering of plants was done as per requirements. Observations are taken till the plants reach its fruiting stage. Experiment was completed after 180 days.
Evaluated Parameters
Disease incidence
Disease incidence percentage was calculated after 180 days of the experiment , according to the number of plants with and without symptoms of the fungal disease (anthracnose) . Disease incidence was calculated as :
Disease incidence = No. of diseased plants / Total no. of plants x 100
Disease Severity
Disease severity was calculated according to the area of the plant tissue affected by the disease. To evaluate disease severity , the infected fruits were collected from the field and assessed after observation of disease symptoms on them.The evaluation was performed according to the disease severity scale proposed by Sa (2009): 0 – no disease symptoms ; 1 – slight infection ; 3 – mild infection ; 5 – moderate infection ; 7 – heavy infection ; 9 – severe infection.
Data from severity scale was computed by disease severity index formula (DSI) proposed by McKinney (1925) :
DSI = ∑ (scale grade x n ) x 100 / ∑ plants x maximum scale grade |
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| Analysis | The calculated data were subjected to analysis of
variance (ANOVA). The data were analyzed using a one-way ANOVA as per
experimental design separately for each considered parameter i.e. disease
incidence and disease severity.The analysis of variance was performed using OP
stat software at 5% significance level. |
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| Result and Discussion |
In vivo experiment , four
homeopathic drugs namely Aconite , Arnica Montana , Belladonna and
Thuja occidentalis were selected and tested for the control of
fungal diseases of the chili crop. The selected dynamizations were Aconite 200
CH Arnica montana 200CH , Belladonna 200CH
and Thuja occidentalis 200 CH . All four homeopathic drugs are
amended in soil for the control of fungal diseases. Significant effects
were observed in the application of homeopathic drugs comparatively to control
treatments (Table 1 ). In control treatment , 61.00 % of plants revealed
disease symptoms , while in Thuja 200 CH and Aconite 200CH
, only 46.93% and 49.83 % of the plants were infested . Arnica
montana 200CH , among the homeopathic drugs tested , was the one
that exhibited higher disease incidence in plants 61.00% . While Belladonna 200CH
exhibited lower disease incidence with 44.16 % infestation in chilli plants. Besides disease incidence , the results showed that
disease severity was significantly reduced (P<0.05 ) comparatively to
control treatments (Table 2 ). In control treatments , 64.66 % disease severity
was recorded . When treated with Aconite 200CH , 44.16 %
of disease severity was observed , while plants treated with Thuja
occidentalis 200CH showed disease severity with 38.73%. Other two
homeopathic drugs tested namely Arnica montana 200CH
and Belladonna 200CH exhibited 45.23 % and 39.58 %
disease severity in chilli plants. It was concluded that Arnica
montana showed higher disease severity whereas, Thuja
occidentalis exhibited lower disease severity in chilli plants under
field conditions. The results showed significant effects of all four
homeopathic drugs to reduce the intensity of fungal pathogen (Colletotrichum
spp.) of anthracnose disease of chilli , comparatively to
control treatments. Table 1 : Showing disease incidence percentage (DI %) for treated (with homeopathic drugs at 200CH dynamization) and non-treated (control) plants of chilli (Capsicum annum).
Mean values for each homeopathic drug tested
at 200CH dynamization, differ significantly (p<0.05). Where ; CD =
Critical difference and SE(m) = Standard error (mean). Table 2 : Showing disease severity index (DSI %)
for treated (with homeopathic drugs at 200CH dynamization) and
non-treated (control) plants of chilli (Capsicum annum).
Mean values for each homeopathic drug tested at 200CH dynamization, differ significantly (p<0.05). Where ; CD = Critical difference and SE(m) = Standard error (mean). Figure 1 : Graphical representation of disease incidence (%) for different homeopathic drugs at 200CH dynamization and control treatments for chilli (Capsicum annuum) plants Figure 2 : Graphical representation of disease
severity (%) for different homeopathic drugs at 200CH dynamization and control
treatments for chilli (Capsicum annuum) plants. Results showed that homeopathic drugs significantly
reduced the disease infection based on the evaluated parameters i.e.
disease incidence and disease severity. (Bonfim et al2008 ) reported
that Arnica montana of 3,6 and 12 CH potencies were used
to improve and increase plant growth. Kali iodatum (149
) and Thuja occidentalis (87 CH) when applied in pre and
post-harvest conditions , significantly control the fruit rot caused
by Fusarium roseum (Khanna and Chandra , 1992). Carneiro
et al. (2010) discovered that the application of biotherapic of Alternaria
solani at 27 CH and 28CH controls the blight of tomato plant in
57 and 62 % , respectively in greenhouses , and besides that no studies
were conducted over mycelia growth and spore germination. Toledo , Stangarlin ,
and Bonato (2009) tested the Sulphur homeopathic
medicine in the control of Alternaria solani , a fungus
responsible for tomato early blight , inoculated in tomato plants. Ten
days after Alternaria solani inoculation ,the authors
observed that Sulphur at the dynamization of 12CH and 60CH
reduced the disease severity in 48.82 % and 56.47 % respectively, when
compared to the control treatment. Ashraful Alam , Sanjoy kumar Adhikary
and Mahtalat Ahmed (2017) , design appropriate control measures against Colletotrichum
gleosporoides by using selected 72 homeopathic medicines of different
potencies containing anti-fungal properties. The experiment was laid out
in CRD with five replications.The results showed that drugs are effective
against C.gleosporoides followed by the order of Arsenicum
album < Selenium < Nux vomica < Belladonna < Calcarea
fluorica respectively. Arsenicum album (64.62 %) and
Q potency (16.52 %) was significantly effective against C.gleosporoides.
Ma and Zhu (2006) studied the effect of BTH (Benzothiadiazole) and
MeJA (Methyl jasmonate) at various concentrations
against Colletotrichum musae infecting bananas.
Application of BTH (50.00mM) gave the lowest incidence of anthracnose
(4.00%) followed by MeJA (0.5mM) (10%). Treatment with BTH and MeJA before
storage significantly reduced the lesion diameter and disease incidence
in bananas inoculated with C.musae. |
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| Conclusion |
The homeopathic drugs Arnica montana, Aconite, Belladonna and Thuja occidentalis showed antifungal activity and positively reduced the infestations in plants. From plant studies , it was concluded that disease incidence is lowly reduced; however disease severity results showed high reduction disease inhibition. In field experiment , all four homeopathic drugs tested at 200CH dynamization showed significant inhibition of fungal diseases compared to control treatment. The application of homeopathic drugs showed a promising potential for alternative and sustainable management of fungal diseases of chili crops.
Therefore, it is suggested that homeopathic drugs should be used or applied to reduce plant infections as it is cheap, leaving no residue in soil, non hazardous, eco-friendly agriculture and a good strategy to replace chemical treatments. |
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