Antifungal Activity of Azadirachta Indica Against Alternaria Solani

Abstract

The antifungal activity of Azadirachta indica L was investigated against Alternaria solani. sorauer responsible for early blight in potato. Different concentrations of leaf and fruit methanol extracts viz. 1%, 2%…5% were applied against A. solani. Leaf extract was found more significant than fruit extract. This extract was subjected to bioassays guided fractionation by using various organic solvents viz. n-hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate and n-butanol. In vitro antifungal activities of these fractions were tested against A. solani alongwith a commercial fungicide Metalaxyl+Mancozeb. Different concentrations (100-0.190 mg mL-1) were used for evaluation of Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and data was recorded after 24, 48 & 72 hrs. Ethyl acetate fraction was found most effective in retarding fungal growth with MIC of 0.19 mg and this fraction was also effective than fungicide (Metalaxyl+Mancozeb) as the fungicide has MIC of 0.78 mg. The other fractions were comparatively less antifungal as compared to control. 