Shazia Parveen

Antifungal activity of some plant extracts on some pathogenic fungi

The inhibitory activity of five plant extracts viz. Artemisia absinthium L., Rumex obtusifolius L., Taraxacum officinale Weber ex Wiggers, Plantago lanceolata L. and Malva sylvestris L. were evaluated against the mycelial growth of three fungi Alternaria alternata (Fr.) Keissler, Penicillium expansum Link ex Thom. and Mucor piriformis Fisher that cause rot diseases in fruits and vegetables resulting in low yield and quality of fruits and vegetables. Results revealed that all the concentrations of plant extracts brought about significant inhibition in the mycelial growth of these pathogenic fungi. However, the highest concentration caused maximum inhibition in the mycelial growth followed by lower concentrations of plant extracts. The extract of A. absinthium leaves at highest concentration (S) proved highly effective in inhibiting the mycelial growth of all these pathogenic fungi followed by other plant extracts. These plants thus may have potential as the new natural fungicide for management of fungal rot diseases.

Preparation, characterization and antifungal activity of iron oxide nanoparticles

Iron oxide nanoparticles with particle size 10-30 nm were prepared by a green approach using tannic acid as reducing and capping agent. These nanoparticles were characterized by X-ray diffractometry (XRD), high resolution field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The prepared iron oxide nanoparticles were also evaluated for their antifungal activity against Trichothecium roseum, Cladosporium herbarum, Penicillium chrysogenum, Alternaria alternata and Aspergillus niger. The antifungal activity was observed as inhibition in spore germination and by determining the zone of inhibition of fungal pathogens caused by different concentrations of iron oxide nanoparticles on culture media. It was observed from the present study that Fe2O3 nanoparticles showed significant antimycotic activity against all the tested fungal pathogens. Highest inhibition in spore germination was caused against T. roseum (87.74%) followed by C. herbarum (84.89%). The highest zone of inhibition by iron oxide nanoparticles was reported against P. chrysogenum (28.67 mm) followed by A. niger (26.33 mm), T. roseum (22.67 mm), A. alternata (21.33 mm) and least against C. herbarum (18.00 mm). Activity index was recorded highest against P. chrysogenum (0.81). The MIC value of Fe2O3 NP varies between 0.063 and 0.016 mg/ml for different fungal pathogens that is comparable with the MIC value shown by the standard, revealing the efficacy of iron oxide NPs against different fungal pathogens.

IN VITRO EFFICACY OF TRICHODERMA ISOLATES AGAINST SOME FUNGI CAUSING FUNGAL ROT DISEASE OF TOMATO.

Jahangir Abdullah Koka*, Abdul Hamid Wani, Mohd Yaqub Bhat and Shazia Parveen. Section of Mycology and Plant Pathology, Department of Botany, University of Kashmir, Hazratbal, Srinagar, Kashmir. ...................................................................................................................... Manuscript Info Abstract ......................... ........................................................................ Manuscript History

First report of Penicillium glaucum Link causing Penicillium rot of pear fruits Pyrus communis L. in Jammu and Kashmir, India

Pears Pyrus communis L. collected from different sites of Kashmir Valley were found infected with Penicillium glaucum causing Penicillium rot. The diseased fruits appears light tan to dark brown. The decayed tissue becomes soft, watery and the lesion has a very sharp margin between diseased and healthy tissues. Decayed fruit has an earthy, musty odor. The pathogen was isolated and cultured on PDA medium for further fungal morphological observation and confirming its pathogenicity according to Koch’s postulates. Results of morphological data and pathogenicity test showed that the pears were infected by Penicillium glaucum Link resulting in Penicillium rot of pears. To our knowledge, it is the first report of pear fruit rot caused by P. glaucum in India. Study was also undertaken for the management of Penicillium rot of pear with some fungicides. It was revealed from the study that different concentration of fungicides brought about significant reduction in the mycelial growth and spore germination of Penicillium glaucum under in vitro conditions. Amongst the tested fungicides, carbendazim proved highly effective in inhibiting the mycelial growth and spore germination of Penicillium glaucum followed by hexaconozole, bitertanol and myclobutanil respectively. Higher concentration proved effective than lower concentrations.

Meliolaceae of Aligarh, India

The Meliolaceae is a family of fungi in the order Meliolales. These fungi flourish well in tropics and have extended their distribution from sub-temperate to temperate regions of the world. These are obligate but mostly ectoparasites that produce black or brown colonies on the leaves and stems of the host plants. These fungi are known to cause black or brown mildew disease on the plants. These black or brown mildews are obligate but mostly ectoparasites that produce black colonies on the surface of the host plants. Extensive work on the foliicolous fungi belonging to the family Meliolaceae at Aligarh and other adjacent areas has not been carried out. Therefore, a study was carried out to isolate and identify the foliicolous fungi attacking different plants of Aligarh. This paper gives the detailed description and illustration of five types of Meliolaceae fungi viz., Meliola alstoniae, Meliola mangiferae, Meliola memecyli, Amazonia peregrina and Exosporodiella phoenixesa. Of these, the genus Exosporodiella with a type species E. phoenixesa was reported for the first time in the world, while the rest of the fungi were reported for the first time from Aligarh.

In vitro efficacy of some fungicides on mycelial growth of Alternaria alternata and Mucor pyriformis

Various chemical fungicides, systemic and non-systemic, were tested against fruit rot pathogens viz. Alternaria alternata and Mucor pyriformis for the evaluation of inhibition of mycelial growth. In A. alternata, among the systemic fungicides used, hexaconozole showed highest inhibition of mycelial growth followed by carbendazim and least effective was myclobutanil. While in M. pyriformis, hexaconozole showed highest inhibition and least effective was bitertanol. Among the non-systemic fungicides tested in both A. alternata and M. pyriformis, mancozeb showed highest inhibition of mycelial growth followed by capton and the least inhibition was shown by zineb.