Bael and Tulsi aqueous control blast disease in farmers field

Severe leaf blast occurred in the rice field of a farmer from village Bhairpur in Cuttack district. The intensity of the disease ranged between 65% and 75% on rice variety Lalat. The environmentally safer technology, developed at CRRI to control rice blast disease, comprising of the aqueous extract of Bael leaf @ 25 g/litre of water and steamed aqueous extract of Tulsi leaf @ 25 g/litre of water was sprayed in the blast infested field. The farmer repeated this spray after 10 days. On the subsequent visit after 15 days, it was observed that the blast disease was successfully and effectively controlled. The rice crop had registered, an 80% to 85% recovery as compared to 45% recovery in ediphenphos (Hinosan) sprayed field.