In vitro efficacy of bio-agents and botanicals against Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. punicae

The present study focuses on the collection, isolation and evaluation of different bio-agents and botanicals for their effectiveness against Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. punicae, the causal agent of bacterial blight disease in pomegranates. Rhizosphere soil samples were collected from orchards of major pomegranate-growing states in India, namely Karnataka and Maharashtra, resulting in the isolation of 170 bacterial cultures. Through in vitro evaluation using the dual culture technique, 57 bacterial isolates exhibited inhibitory effects on X. axonopodis growth, with eight isolates showcasing exceptional inhibition rates above 90 per cent. In parallel, fifteen botanical extracts were screened against the pathogen using both aqueous and alcoholic extraction methods. Garlic extract proved to be the most effective, with a significant inhibitory effect. These findings hold significant implications for the development of eco friendly and sustainable disease management strategies in pomegranate cultivation. Further investigations into alternative extraction methods and underlying mechanisms are warranted to optimize the efficacy of bio-agents and botanicals in combating bacterial blight disease.