Effect of Leaf Extract of Cassia fistula on the Growth and Development of Colletotrichum gloeosporioides and Cercospora bataticola

Abstract

Because of the widespread and uncontrolled use of traditional fungicides, many plant pathogens have become resistant to them, making it more challenging to control most fungal plant diseases with these fungicides. Since the dawn of time, phytochemicals have contributed significantly to human welfare without causing any harm. Therefore, PFT method with different leaf extracts of Cassia fistula (Aqueous, methanol and acetone) and their three concentrations (250µl, 500µl and 1000µl per 15 ml of PDA) was used against Colletotrichum gloeosporioides and Cercospora bataticola, causing fruit rot and leaf spot of beet respectively. Results of this study showed that maximum inhibition (76.8%) of Colletotrichum gloeosporioides was found with1000µl concentration of methanolic extract of Cassia fistula leaves 3 DAI while maximum inhibition of Cercospora bataticola (68.7%) was found with the same concentration of acetone extract of Cassia fistula leaves 3 DAI. Considerable growth inhibition (68.7%) of Colletotrichum gloeosporioides and 50.5% of Cercospora bataticola were found with 1000µl concentration of methanolic and acetonic extracts of Cassia fistula leaves respectively 5 DAI. Acetonic extract of Cassia fistula leaves with 1000µl concentration was also found as a good antifungal for Colletotrichum gloeosporioides which inhibited 64.8% and 54.6% 3 and 5 DAI respectively. However, there was no considerable growth inhibition of both fungal plant pathogens with aqueous extract. The results of present study revealed that methanolic and acetonic leaf extracts of Cassia fistula can be used for fungal plant disease management with further extensive studies.