Inhibitory effect of some Iranian plant species against three plant pathogenic fungi

ABSTRACT: Methanolic crude extracts of 32 plant species belonging to 21 families collected from the west of Iran were screened for antifungal activity against three economically important phytopathogenic fungi, Phytophthora drechsleri, Pythium aphanidermatum and Rhizoctonia solani. Bioassay of the extracts was conducted by agar diffusion method on agar plate cultures with five replications. Twenty-seven of the 32 (85%) plant species tested, showed inhibitory activity against at least one of the fungi. Seventeen (53%), thirteen (41%) and seventeen (53%) tested plant species showed inhibitory activity against mycelia growth of P. drechsleri, P. aphanidermatum and R. solani, respectively. Cousinia stenocephala and Plantago lanceolata were the most active plant species against (inhibit the mycelia growth) and concurrent (stimulate the mycelia growth) all three fungi, respectively. Extracts of C. stenocephala, Cineraria grandiflora, Pterocephalus canus and Anagallis arvensis exhibited a broad-spectrum of antifungal activity. According to these results, we conclude that the flora in the west of Iran can be regarded as a rich source of plants with antifungal activity. Therefore, further screening of other plant species, identifying active fractions or metabolites and in vivo application of active extracts are warranted.