Effect of Leaf Extract of Garlic on Fusarium Oxysporum F. Sp. Ciceri, Sclerotinia Sclerotiorum and on Gram Seeds

SUMMARY

The effect of aqueous garlic-leaf extract on two pathogens, Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ciceri and Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, which incite wilt diseases in gram (Cicer arietinum) was studied. Growth of the two fungi in liquid medium was greatly reduced by 7,000 and 5,000 ppm of the extract, respectively. Although germination of gram seeds treated with 50,000-80,000 ppm of the extract was delayed, it always exceeded 70% four or more da after treatment. Extract-treated seeds sown in soil infested with the pathogens singly and intermixed produced wilt-free seedlings whereas all the seedlings from untreated seeds showed wilt symptoms. A possible use of garlic-leaf extract in controlling plant diseases under field conditions is suggested.