In Vitro Antifungal Activities of Some Plant Extracts Against Plant Pathogenic Fungi in Turkey

Plant extracts are among alternative methods of pest and disease control. The present study was carried out to evaluate antifungal activities of methanol, acetone, ethyl acetate and n-hexane extracts of different plants; Ricinus communis L., Vitex agnus-castus L, Heracleum platytaenium Boiss., Isatiss glauca Aucher ex Boiss., and Polygonum cognatum Meissn against the plant pathogens; Sclerotinia sclerotiorum Lib De Bary, Alternaria solani (Ell. and G. Martin) Rhizoctonia solani Kuhn. and Ascochyta rabiei (Pass) Labr., the important pathogens of cucumber, tomato, potato and chickpea. Rates of mycelial growth inhibition (MGI) were compared by thiram 80% (Hektas group) as a standard fungicide. 10, 50 and, 100 mg/ml doses of plant extracts were tested. All extracts caused remarkable inhibition rates against the tested pathogens. In addition, R. communis caused a strong antifungal activity compared with the others. Accordingly, natural antifungal agents could be suggested for controlling some plant pathogenic fungi.