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BOTANICAL FUNGICIDES; CURRENT STATUS, FUNGICIDAL PROPERTIES AND CHALLENGES FOR WIDE SCALE ADOPTION: A REVIEW

About 70-80% losses in agricultural production due to microbial disease is caused by fungal pathogens. There are around 8,000 fungal species that cause 100,000 diseases in plants. It is impossible to control such a large species of fungi with chemical fungicides alone. Even if it is made possible, it would bring negative impacts to the environment and human health. Thus, it is a high time to seek an alternative to chemical fungicides which should be eco-friendly. Botanical fungicides can be the viable and sustainable alternative in this regard. A number of researches have proved the fungicidal properties of phytochemicals. They are easily degradable; maintain soil properties and safe to the environment and human. In the present context, researchers are showing interest towards botanical fungicides. Nevertheless, their commercialization and wide-scale adoption have not yet achieved. Thus, this study aims to reveal the current status and fungicidal properties of various potential plants and, also to investigate challenges for its adoption in commercial scale through critical analysis of the related literatures. Lack of sufficient knowledge and extension facilities at the farmer’s level and slow result as compared to chemical fungicides are the major reasons behind their poor adoption. Thus, it is a high time for the collaboration among researchers, policy makers, businessman and farmers for the exploration, legalization, proper marketing and wide-scale adoption of botanical fungicides. If the approaches like sustainable agriculture, organic farming and integrated pest management (IPM) need to be extended, focuses should be given towards botanical fungicides.