Inhibitory effects of tamarind (Tamarindus indica L.) on polypathogenic fungi

Abstract

A preliminary study evaluated the influence of tamarind leaf extract [5, 10, 15, 25 and 50 % (w/v)] on the growth of certain polypathogenic fungi (Phytophthora, Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, Alternaria solani, Fusarium solani, Rhizoctonia bataticola, Sclerotium rolfsii, Pellicularia filamentosa and Macrophomina phaseolina), which cause widespread crop damage in the home gardens of Kerala. Tamarind leaf extract suppressed the growth of all the fungi spp. at 3 days after inoculation and caused maximum suppression in Phytophthora palmivora (up to 81 %) and Rhizoctonia bataticola (up to 87 %) - the major pathogens of many crops in homesteads. The tamarind leaf extract offers great opportunity for use as an antifungal botanical to control seed, soil and air borne phytopathogenic fungi.