Panchagavya- an Organic Weapon Against Plant Pathogens Sumangala K., Patil M. B. Department of Plant Pathology, College of Agriculture, University of Agricultural Sciences, Krishinagar, Dharwad- 580005, Karnataka, India Abstract Panchagavya - an organic formulation, which is prepared out of unique combination of five products of cow viz., cow milk, curd, ghee, urine and fresh dung at appropriate quantities collected from a lactating desi cow. This was evaluated in vitro for its antifungal potential through inhibition of spore germination and mycelialgrowth of Curvularia lunata a pathogen of grain discolouration of rice in rice growing tracts of Tungabhadra Project Area 'and Upper Krishna Project Area of Karnataka state in India comprising Raichur, Koppal and Gulbarga districts during 2007. Although many fungi have been isolated from discolored grains, Curvularia lunata wasfound dominant and located in all the parts of seed. Further, the panchagavya was also tested for its efficacy in strengthening defense mechanism in rice plants through seed treatment. Panchagavya resulted in 86.30 per cent inhibition of mycelial growth and 95.90 per cent inhibition of spore germination of Curvularia lunata in vitro. Seed treatment with Panchagavya further enhanced the seed germination with 90.70% and vigor index of 1036.36. Top Keywords Panchagavya, Curvularia lunata, rice, grain discolouration, seedling vigor.. Top |