Efficacy of root extract of Tinospora cordifolia against seed-borne pathogens of cluster bean [Cyamopsis tetragonoloba (L.) Taub.]

Efficacy of aqueous root extract of Tinospora cordifolia was evaluated against four seed-borne fungal pathogens viz., Aspergillus niger, A. flavus, Fusarium oxysporum and Dreschlera tetramera and two bacterial pathogens viz. Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. cyamopsidis and Ralstonia solanacearum isolated from cluster bean seeds. The root extract revealed maximum antifungal and antibacterial activities at its 100% concentration. The activity of the root extract was found increasing with increasing concentration and at 100% concentration it was on par with bavistin and streptomycin. The seed treatment with the root extract also improved seed germination significantly over the check.