efficacy study of selected plant extracts against biotic stress for the conservation of cuminum cyminum l

Abstract

Cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.) is an essential commodity in Indian agriculture as it is one of the most noticeable seed spices crops delivered, consumed, and traded from India. It is, however, susceptible to several major diseases, including wilt, blight, and powdery mildew, that can cause significant losses in crop yield and quality, and as such, they are a major concern for farmers and the industry as a whole. The emphasis here is on the wilt disease as well as its management. The wilt disease is caused by Fusarium oxysporum f.sp.cumini - a fungal pathogen prevalent all over the world. Chemical fungicides have traditionally been used to control Fusarium wilt disease, but they can have negative impacts on the environment and non-target organisms. One approach that has been explored is the use of plant metabolites and plant-based pesticides. These compounds are often derived from natural sources such as plants, and they can be less harmful to the environment than synthetic pesticides. The present study was conducted to develop an eco-friendly management of cumin wilt disease caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cumini. The study involved using plant extracts of Ricinus communis L., Vitex negundo L., Aegle marmelos L., and Moringa oleifera Lam. to test their in- vitro antifungal activity against the plant pathogen Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cumini. Different solvent systems were used to extract the selected plants, including methanol, acetone, 50% aqueous methanol, 50% aqueous acetone, dichloromethanol: methanol(1:1), and water. Preliminary phytochemical examination of all extracts revealed positive results for major phytoconstitutes such as phenol, flavonoid, alkaloid, tannin, and others. The extracts were tested at various concentrations using the poison food technique to assess their antifungal activity on mycelial growth of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cumini and obtained a favourable result in the form of %inhibition. HPTLC fingerprinting was conducted to determine the presence of phytoconstituents, and bioautography