Antifungal activity of plant extract of Ephedra alata sub.sp. alenda (Stapf) Trab., on mycelial growth of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. albedi-nis, the causal agent of Bayoud disease on date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.)

Abstract

This study deals with the importance and enhancement of plant extracts on the development of phytopathogenic fungi. It was carried out to evaluate the antifungal activity of the methanolic and ethanolic extract of alanda (Ephedra alata subsp. alenda (Stapf) Trab. [1905]), originating from the arid regions collected from the saoura region on May month of 2018’s year. The test was tested on mycelial growth of three Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. albedinis (Foa), strains of the causal agent of Bayoud disease on date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.), with three different concentrations of methanolic and ethanolic extracts. The results revealed a significant (P<0.05) on mycelial growth of Foa strains. The values of the inhibition rate vary between 25,4 and 70,6% by methanolic extract effect and between 28,3 and 70,9% by ethanolic extract. In comparison between these two plant extracts, the similarity of inhibition was observed, while, between concentrations, the two concentrations 10-1 and 10-2 g / ml have important antifungal activity than the third concentration 10-3 g / ml, in all two extracts. Findings in this study con-firmed that the extract of this plant can be used as natural fungicide against bayoud disease in Algerian palm groves.