Fungitoxic activity of extracts of some medicinal plants on Pythium aphanidermatum, causal agent of root rots of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum)

Abstract

The in vitro fungitoxic activity of crude extracts of ginger (Zingiber officinale),  bitter-kola (Garcinia cola), aloe (Aloe vera) and neem (Azadirachta indica) was tested on Pythium aphanidermatum isolated from root rot of tomato (Lycopersicon  esculentum). The organic solvent (methanol) extracts of leaves of neem and aloe,  seeds of bitter kola, and rhizomes of ginger at 40%, 60%, 80% and 100%  concentrations were tested on Potato dextrose agar (PDA) for activity against the  mycelia growth of Pythium aphanidermatum. The experiment was a completely  randomized design with three replications per treatment. The results showed that mean percentage inhibition of mycelia growth was highest in plates containing ginger extract; followed by aloe. The fungitoxic components in bitter kola and neem were only effective in inhibition of mycelia growth of the pathogen at higher concentrations (80% and  100%) respectively.

Key words: Extracts, fungitoxic, inhibition, mycelia growth, root rot, tomato.