Epidemiological studies on the Incidence and Distribution of Leaf Spot Disease in Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) Caused by Alternaria alternata

Abstract

Medicinal and aromatic plant Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha), is integral to Indian
traditional medicine and the herbal pharmaceutical industry, owing to their rich content of bioactive
compounds like alkaloids, glycosides, flavonoids. However, their commercial cultivation is severely
impacted by fungal diseases, particularly foliar infections, which reduce yield, compromise quality,
and alter the efficacy of pharmacologically important metabolites. Ashwagandha showed early
disease symptoms in the 43rd SMW, with severity peaking at 38.77% in the 13th SMW due to
rainfall and sustained humidity. In Ashwagandha, T9 achieved over 81% control for both metrics at
early stages.