Antifungal activity of Terminalia chebula extract against wilt fungi Fusarium oxysporum an important plant pathogen

Abstract

Terminalia chebula, a deciduous plant, endogenous to India has medicinal value. Its fruits are known for its cure to many ailments in human beings. This study is to test the biological activity of these compounds tested against plant pathogenic fungi Fusarium oxysporum which cause wilt in economically important crops. Wilt is a devastating disease which destroys the infected plant and cause economic loss to farmers. Panama disease in bananas is a type of wilt disease which is very prevalent in India. This fungi has broad host range from tomato, cotton etc. Outbreak reported in many parts of India. Standard culture of Fusarium oxysporum ITCC -6246, Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ciceri ITCC 3636 and Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici MTCC 10270 were used to detect the potential chemical compound in dried fruit by macro-dilution. Each organic solvent (Water, Ethanol, Chloroform, Benzene) has different extraction capacity based on the polarity of chemical compound in plants. These chemical compounds extensively studied for their antioxidant property and preliminary screening of chemical compound constituents in all extract. Mycelium growth inhibition tested on solid medium and zone of inhibition measured in mm diameter. Spores of Fusarium sp. present in soil for many months in dormant form. Under suitable climatic conditions this will germinate and cause infection in plants. Rate of spore germination inhibition in liquid medium measured and calculated for every solvent extract. Rate of inhibition was calculated and analysed statistically by t test. The efficient solvent extract determined for bulk extraction of biologically active compound from seeds.