Department of Botany, D.A.V.P.G. College, Azamgarh, 276001, India. abhayraj53@rediffmail.com
Two hundred forty samples, comprising various parts of 165 plant species of 144 genera belonging to 66 families, were screened against the test fungus Colletotrichum capsici. Only the leaf extract of Holoptelea integrifolia exhibited 100% fungitoxicity. Other plant extracts showed either poor fungitoxicity or some accelerated the mycelial growth of the test fungus. The hydroethanolic extract of leaves was fractionated by differential solubility method and only the petroleum ether extract was found to have fungitoxicity. MIC of the active fraction was worked out (200 ppm) and at this concentration it was fungicidal in nature. The active fraction, at MIC, was able to withstand heavy inoculum density; killed the test pathogen in 1.30 hrs of exposure; could be more effectively used at any pH between 4 and 9; had a broad antifungal spectrum and proved to be superior than other commercial fungicides. The active fraction proved to be nonphytotoxic and it stimulated the rate of seed germination and seedling growth of Capsicum annuum seeds
Antifungal, Colletotrichum capsici, Holoptelea integrifolia
