Comparison of Phytochemical and chemical control of Fusarium oxysporium f. sp. ciceri

The antifungal effect of aqueous extracts of four plant species viz; Azadaracta indica A. Juss., Datura metel L. var. quinquecuspida Torr., Ocimum sanctum L. and Parthenium hysterophorus L. was determined in vitro study. It was found that all the plant extracts at 40% concentration were effective in reducing the mycelial growth of F. oxysporum f. sp. ciceri. Among these plants extracts, A. indica and D. metel inhibited fungal growth by 80%. Even at 10% concentration, both plants extracts had inhibitory effect, while Ocimum sanctum extracts showed low inhibition (60%) as compare to other plant extracts. Chemical treatment with Benomyl (50WP) and Carbendazim (50WP) was proved to be the most effective against F. oxysporium f. sp. ciceri. Results indicated, plant extracts had equal potential as fungicides for the reduction of pathogen growth.