IN VITRO ANTIFUNGAL ACTIVITY OF THREE SAUDI PLANT EXTRACTS AGAINST SOME PHYTOPATHOGENIC FUNGI

Document Type : Original Article

Author

Science Dept., Teachers College, King Saud University, Riaydh, Saudi Arabia.

Abstract

The antifungal activities of ethanolic ex­tracts of three Saudi plants namely, camel thorn (Alhagi maurorum Medic.), caper (Capparis spinosa L.) and pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) were investigated in vitro against Alternaria alternata, Fusarium oxysporum, Phoma destructiva, Rhizoctonia solani and Sclerotium rolfsii at concen­trations of 0, 3, 6, and 9% (v/v). All tested plant extracts (seeds, roots and rinds) had an antifungal activity at different degrees against the tested fungi. The highest antifun­gal activity was recorded for camel thorn seeds extract at concentration of 9% when compared with the control, while, pomegranate rinds extract at 9% came at the second rank. On the other hand, camel thorn rinds extract came at the end even at high concentration. The ethanolic extract of camel thorn seeds may be recommended as a potent bio-fungicide. Extensive studies should be undertaken for the ethanolic extract of camel thorn seeds as a strong antifungal agent against fungal plant diseases.

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