Potencial antifúngico de extractos vegetales contra Puccinia sorghi en el cultivo de Zea mays

The cultivation of Zea mays was of great importance due to its nutritional value, although its production was limited by diseases such as leaf rust caused by Puccinia sorghi. The aim of the research was to evaluate the efficacy of organic fungicides for the control of Puccinia sorghi in Zea mays. A completely randomised block design was used with five treatments and four replicates: T1: Neem extract; T2: Eucalyptus extract; T3: Garlic extract; T4: Chemical control; and T5: Control without product. The results showed that the neem extract promoted the greatest increase in height at 40 days, with 105.01 cm, whilst at 55 days the control without application was greater, at 217.91 cm. The garlic extract recorded the greatest stem diameter at 40 days, with 9.86 mm, with no significant differences thereafter. The lowest number of diseased leaves at 40 days was observed with neem (7.88 leaves). The chemical control showed the lowest incidence at 55 days at 43.19%, followed by garlic, which also showed the lowest severity. The organic fungicides showed varying effects, with neem standing out in initial growth and garlic in disease reduction.