Antifungal activity of aqueous and ethanol extracts of seaweeds against sugarcane red rot pathogen (Colletotrichum falcatum)

Abstract

The study was carried out to evaluate the effect of seaweed extracts of Sargassum myricocystum (brown alga) and Gracilaria edulis (red alga) against the mycelial growth of Colletotrichum falcatum with different extraction methods of aqueous and ethanol at concentrations of 5 and 10% along with control by poison food technique. The result revealed that extract of S. myricocystum (ethanol extract) showed significant antifungal activity against pathogen followed by G. edulis. S. myricocystum (ethanol extract – 10%) extract recorded the lowest mycelial growth of 52 mm where as control recorded 90 mm. Key words: Seaweeds, pathogen, sugarcane, Colletotrichum falcatum.