ANTIFUNGAL POTENTIAL OF PLANTS EXTRACT AGAINST THE FUNGAL PATHOGENS IN CUCUMBER AND BITTER GOURD (CUCURBITACEAE)

The fungicidal activity of five aqueous plant extracts from Azadiracta indica, Eichhornia crassipes, Calatropis procera, Parthinium hysterophorous and Lanta camara was assessed for their antifungal efficacy on the phytopathogenic fungi of Cucumis sativus (Cucumber) and Monardica charantia (Bitter Gourd), Corynespora cassiicola and Cercospera citrullina, causative agents of these plants. Three of the five plant extracts were effective against these phytopathogenic fungi. Parthinium hysterophorous, Azadiracta indica and Calatropis procera, extracts were highly active and showed fungicidal activities against phytopathogenic fungi with a minimum concentration (100%). In contrast, Lanta camara extract showed moderate antifungal activity, while Eichhornia crassipes was not effective against phytopathogenic fungi. Therefore the present study was aimed to investigate the fungicidal properties of medicinal plants. These effective plant extracts can contribute to the development of potentially effective and environmentally safe alternative fungicides to control the damping of phytopathogenic fungi in cucumber and bitter gourd.