Evaluation of antifungal effect of Croton aromaticus on storage life extension of banana

Abstract

Effect of Croton aromaticus aqueous, hot water and ethanolic leaf extracts alone and in

combination with alum against banana crown rot causing fungal pathogens were investigated

using 96 well plate bioassay and liquid bioassay in vitro. According to the results of 96 well plate

assay, C. aromaticus aqueous extract successfully inhibited conidial germination of C. musae up

to 96.9%. Percentage germination inhibition of F. proliferatum is less than that of C. musae. Hot

water extract expressed higher conidial germination inhibition of F. proliferatum. Conidial

germination of C. musae was 100% inhibited at the concentration of 600 (%w/v) of ethanoic

extract and at the same concentration F. proliferatum was inhibited by 90.4 %. Alum was

fungicidal against C. musae and L. theobromae. C. aromaticus leaf extract in combination with

alum controlled F. proliferatum more effectively compared to leaf extract alone. During liquid

bioassay, ethanolic leaf extract totally inhibited the mycelial growth of test pathogens at the

concentration of 800 (%w/v). Among three tested extracts, ethanolic extract was most effective

in inhibiting both spore germination and mycelial growth of crown rot causing fungal pathogens.