DefinePK

Abstract

The possible use of plants with antifungal activities for the control of Macrophomina phaseolina is an area that has not been fully exploited. The objective of the present study was, therefore, to evaluate twenty antagonistic plants found in the country for their antifungal activity against M. phaseolina , as no information is available on the antifungal activities of these plants against the fungus. All the test plants when used as seed treatment, significantly enhanced seedling emergence (P > 0.001). Of all the test plants, Azadirachta indica showed the maximum increase in emergence of black gram (58.33%) over control followed by Nigella sativa (57.50%) and Carum copticum (51.67%). On the other hand, Nicotiana tabacum , Foeniculum vulgare and Lawsonia inermis appeared to be the least effective in reducing the damage of the pathogen showing 30, 30.83 and 32.5% increases in emergence. The maximum individual increase in seedling emergence of black gram (73.33%) was attained with 10% concentration of A. indica . The minimum of 20% increase in plant emergence was obtained with F. vulgare at 1% concentration. Other plants showed intermediate increases in seedling emergences. Significant effects (P > 0.001) of concentrations were also observed on seedling emergence. Maximum seedling emergence was recorded at 10% concentration of decoctions of test antagonistic plants. As the concentration of medicinal plants decreased, the effects on seedling emergence also decreased. The effect of concentrations was found to be directly proportional to seedling emergence.