Pritendra Narayan Paikaray, Subhashree Subhasmita Paikaray, Amrit Mohapatra and Bidwan Ranjan Sahoo
Abstract
Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) is a globally important vegetable crop, but its production is severely constrained by Fusarium wilt caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici. The disease leads to significant yield losses and is difficult to manage due to the soil-borne and persistent nature of the pathogen. In recent years, plant-derived extracts have gained attention as eco-friendly and sustainable alternatives to chemical fungicides. The present study aims to evaluate the antifungal potential of selected plant extracts against F. oxysporum under in vitro conditions. Different extracts were tested for their efficacy in inhibiting mycelial growth of the pathogen which is study in laboratory conditions during the year 2023-24 at Department of Plant Pathology, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, SikshaâOâ Anusandhan (deemed to be University), Bhubaneswar, Odisha. The pathogenic fungus was isolated from the affected plant and identified as Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. lycopersici based on morphological and cultural characteristics. Kochâs postulate on tomato seedlings was used to confirm the pathogenicity of the fungus. Fusarium oxysporum was found to be significantly inhibited in its mycelial growth by all seven of the plant extracts that were tested in vitro, compared to the untreated control. However, 100% inhibition of Fusarium oxysporum was found in T2 (Garlic- 0 cm). The mycelium growth were recorded in T4 (Haldi- 3.31 cm) followed by T3 (Tulsi- 4.25 cm), T8 (Neem- 4.35 cm), T7 (Karanja- 4.43 cm), T5 (Madhuca- 4.45 cm), T6 (Parthenium- 4.63 cm) Plant extracts, which are widely available, can be applied to control plant diseases in a non-hazardous, non-pollutive, and ecologically balanced manner.