Rahuri paste is a neem oil based paste formulation prepared at MPKV, Rahuri by Prof. S. G. Borkar and his student Rubina Pokharel. The paste is effective for the control of oily spot disease on twigs and trunks of Pomegranate caused by bacterium Xanthomonas axonopodis pv, Prunicae. The twigs/trunk infection of the bacterium is difficult to control with regular sprays of bactericides and therefore Rahuri paste appears to be only effective measure to control bacterial infection on twigs/trunks. To prepare Rahuri paste 5:6 proportion of neem oil and hydrated lime is used. In neem oil appropriate quantity of hydrated lime slurry is added slowly by stirring to obtain a golden colour paste. In this paste 0.2 percent captan and 0.1 percent Bactinashak is added and mixed thoroughly and stored in airtight container. The paste is of golden colour with smooth fine texture. The paste is used for application on deep wounds of bacterial infection on twigs and trunks. The thickness of the paste is adjusted with neem oil for painting on the infected portions of twigs/trunks. The wounds and infected portion get, completely healed by the paste and there was a sprouting of shoots on healed twigs/trunks within 3-4 months indicating that the paste was effective for control of bacterial infection of twigs/trunk, healing of bacterial wounds and sprouting of new shoots at infected portion and thus helps in rejuvenation of infection plant.
