Bioprospection of some plant extracts for antifungal activity against wheat pathogens

Abstract

The present study aims at exploring the antifungal potential of some plant extracts in fighting the menace of fungal pathogens attacking wheat, as a cost-effective and eco-friendly alternative to the chemical fungicides currently in use. Scientists have obtained remarkable results against phyto-pathogenic fungi using extracts from various aromatic and poisonous plants under in vitro and in vivo conditions. The efficacy of different plant extracts in controlling fungal diseases of wheat investigated so far indicate that almost all treatments inhibited spore germination to a significant extent comparable to that of synthetic fungicides. These results may be extended to the local flora unexplored so far in order to devise a novel, safe and sustainable disease management strategy for the staple crop of North and North Western India.