Antifungal activity of Melia azedarach L. fruit extract against Sclerotium rolfsii, the cause of collar rot disease of chickpea

Laboratory bioassays were carried out to evaluate the antifungal potential of methanolic fruit extract of Melia azedarach L. and its various fractions against Sclerotium rolfsii, the cause of collar rot of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.). Different concentrations of methanolic fruit extract (0.5, 1.0, ..., 3.5%) were prepared and their effect against the fungal pathogen was tested using malt extract broth in 100-mL conical flasks. All the tested concentrations of the methanolic extract significantly reduced fungal biomass by 81–84%. Methanolic extract was partitioned using n-hexane, ethyl acetate and n-butanol. The effect of different isolated fractions was tested against the pathogen in 10-mL volume test tubes. A concentration of 3.125 mg mL^-1 of different fractions significantly decreased fungal biomass by 41–65%. The present study concludes that methanolic fruit extract of M. azedarach and its various fractions possess antifungal activity and can be used for management of S. rolfsii.