In vitro antifungal activity of some common botanicals against fungal wilt caused by Fusarium oxysporum of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.)

Abstract

Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici is an important disease that causes wilt disease in tomato crop. Management through chemical fungicides cause environmental problems and are toxic to non-target organisms as well. Plant metabolites and plant extract appear to be one of the better alternatives as they are known to have minimal environmental impact. In an approach towards the development of eco-friendly management, in vitro antifungal assay was conducted against Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici (FOL), using plant extracts of seven botanicals. Out of them, three extract proved to be potential in inhibiting the growth of the FOL viz., Allium sativum (77.43%), Pongamia glabra (73.06%), Azadirachta indica (72.382%). The poison food technique was employed for the evaluation of antifungal activity of the extracts at three different concentrations (10%, 15%and 20%) on mycelial growth of FOL. This study indicates that the botanical extracts could be a good alternative in developing a potent plant based fungicides which can be used in organic farming for the management of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. Lycopersici.