Integrated Approaches for Sustainable Management of Fungal Diseases in Chamomile Plants in Hill Country; Sri Lanka

Matricaria chamomilla (chamomile) is an important medicinal plant widely used in medicine, cosmetics, and the food industry. Fungal diseases pose a major challenge to chamomile cultivation, particularly in the hilly regions of Sri Lanka. This study focused on management of powdery mildew (Erysiphe cichoracearum), a destructive fungal disease affecting chamomile growth. A field experiment was conducted using a bio-fungicide, a vinegar solution, a chemical fungicide (Mancozeb), and an untreated control. The experiment followed a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD), with 20 plants per block and a total of 80 plants across four treatments. Plant height, average leaf size, and disease severity were assessed. The bio-fungicide treatment produced the highest plant growth (8.02 ± 0.21 cm) and improved overall plant health. The vinegar treatment also showed promising results (7.45 ± 0.18 cm), outperforming both Mancozeb and the untreated control. Mancozeb effectively reduced disease severity (7.27 ± 0.14 cm) but resulted in comparatively lower plant growth. The untreated plants showed severe disease symptoms, yellowing leaves, and stunted growth. The results highlight the importance of integrated disease management strategies that combine biological and eco-friendly approaches to enhance chamomile productivity while minimizing chemical fungicide use and promoting sustainable cultivation practices under local conditions.