BIOEFFICACY OF EXTRACT OF AGERATUM CONYZOIDES AGAINST DRECHSLERA AUSTRALIENSIS AND DRECHSLERA HOLMII

Abstract

Ageratum conyzoides L. a medicinal plant of family Asteraceae, possesses analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activities. The current study was intended for appraisal of the effect of antifungal activity of root, shoot and leaf of A. conyzoides against two pathogenic Drechslera species namely D. australiensis and D. holmii,which causes leaf blight, brown spot, crown rot, and root rot in important crops. In order to achieve this goal, 1-4% concentrations of aqueous extracts, dichloromethane (DCM) fraction and essential oils were assessed for in vitro antimycotic potential. Essential oils were found the most inhibitory against the test fungal growth by exhibiting 100% growth reduction than aqueous and DCM fraction of plant extracts. Among the remaining, dichloromethane fraction was proved more effective than aqueous extracts. Dichloromethane fraction (4%) exhibited maximal depression in biomass that was 92% in Drechslera australiensis and 91% in Drechslera holmii. These findings suggest the usage of aqueous extracts as well as DCM fractions and oils of A. conyzoides for control of fungal pathogens.