Antifungal activity of Nettle (Urtica dioica L.), Colocynth (Citrullus colocynthis L. Schrad), Oleander (Nerium oleander L.) and Konar (Ziziphus spina-christi L.) extracts on plants pathogenic fungi

Abstract

Anti-mycotic activity of the ethanol extracts from Nettle (Urtica dioica L.), Colocynth (Citrullus colocynthis L. Schrad), Konar (Ziziphus spina-christi L.) and Oleander (Nerium oleander L.) floral parts were screened in vitro against four important plant pathogenic fungi viz., Alternaria alternate, Fusarium oxysporum, Fusarium solani and Rizoctonia solani using agar dilution bioassay. Extracts showed antifungal activity against all the tested fungi. Among the plants, Nettle and Colocynth were the most effective against A alternate and R. solani while Oleander possesses the best inhibition on F. oxysporum and F, solani. Konar was the most effective extract by reducing the growth of Rizoctonia solani than other fungi. These results showed that extracts could be considered suitable alternatives to chemical additives for the control of fungal diseases in plants. © 2009 Asian Network for Scientific Information.