Abstract

EVALUATION OF ANTIFUNGAL ACTIVITY OF SOLVENT EXTRACTS OF PICRORHIZA KURROA RHIZOME ON SEED BORNE FUNGI OF MAIZE

Dr.Kiran.B*, Dr.Lalitha.V, Dr.Raveesha.K.A

Abstract

Antifungal activity three solvent extracts viz., methanol, petroleum ether and chloroform extract of P. kurroa rhizome was tested at 100, 250, 500, 750, 1000, 1250, 1500, 1750 and 2000 ppm concentration respectively against ten species of fungi viz., Fusarium graminearum, F. oxysporum, Aspergillus flavus, A niger, A. terreus, Penicillium sp, Curvularia lunata, Drechslera halodes, Alternaria alternata and Cladosporium cladosporides isolated from maize seeds. Maximum activity was observed in methanol extract and six fungi were completely inhibited at 1500 to 2000 ppm concentration. Methanol extract was followed by petroleum ether extract and three fungi were completely inhibited at 2000 ppm concentration. Least inhibition was observed in chloroform extract and none of the test fungi were inhibited completed at different concentration of rhizome extract. All the result were compared with two synthetic fungicides Dithane M-45 and Thiram and all the test fungi were completely inhibited at 2000 ppm concentration.

Keywords: Picrorhiza kurroa, Fungi, Solvent extract, Antifungal activity, Synthetic fungicides.