Performance of Rubia tinctorum L. on fungal plant pathogens as a non-chemical fungicide

Environmental risks considerations of fungicides exposure increases global appeal to non-chemical methods against fungi infections recently. Among the prosperous processes, natural plant products have been expected greater significance as fungi inhibitors. Preliminary studies showed that methanolic extract taken from roots, leaves, stems and seeds of madder (Rubia tinctorum L.) inhibits the mycelial growth of Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. melonis with maximum inhibitory affects of root extract. In the present study, methanolic extract taken from roots was tested on the mycelial growth of Phytophthora drechsleri and Rhizoctonia solani. In vitro tests depicts that the extract caused a significant decrease in the mycelial growth of these types of fungi with maximum activity detected for R. solani (%100), followed by P. drechsleri (%77.7). This study proves the potential inhibitory effects of root extract of madder on phytopathogenic fungi which can be used as an alternative or integration with controlling strategies in the management of cucurbitaceous fungal plant pathogens

Keywords:

Environmental effects , Plant extracts , Phytopathogen , antifungal , Rubia tinctorum L