In vitro biopesticide effect of alkaloids and flavonoids of some plants against Fusarium oxysporum

Abstract

Alkaloids and flavonoids of three plants, namely Withania somnifera, Euphorbia hirta and Terminalia chebula, were tested for their antifungal potential against plant pathogenic fungi Fusarium oxysporum. The spore counting technique was followed for the antibiotic properties of the extracts tested at three different concentrations (2.5, 5 and 10 mg/ml). Results revealed that the bound flavonoid of root of W. somnifera and free flavonoids of stem bark and fruits of T. chebula totally inhibited spore germination of the fungi (100%). The range of minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum fungicidal concentration of extracts recorded was 0.039–0.625 and 0.039–1.25 mg/ml, respectively. Bound flavonoids of selected plants were more effective than free flavonoids and alkaloids. The study suggests that both alkaloids and flavonoids extracts of selected plants have a potential antifungal properties for the control of diseases of various crops.

Keywords:

• alkaloids
• flavonoids
• Fusarium oxysporum
• percentage spore inhibition
• MIC
• MFC

Acknowledgements

The authors are thankful to the “Head of the Department of Botany”, University of Rajasthan for providing all necessary facilities and to UGC for providing financial assistance for the present work.