Antifungal activity of selected plant extracts against Trichothecium roseum (Pers.) Link (1809) (Sordariomycetes: Hypocreales), causal organism of fungal rot of Solanum melongena L. (Solanales: Solanaceae) in Kashmir, India

Egg plant Solanum melongena L. (Solanales: Solanaceae) is an important vegetable grown in Kashmir. It is attacked by number of fungal pathogens in storage and in the field. These fungi caused several fungal rot diseases resulting heavy losses to the growers. Therefore, present study was carried out to study the incidence and management of fungal rot of egg plant using some selected plant extracts. It was revealed from the study that Trichothecium roseum (Pers.) Link (1809) (Sordariomycetes: Hypocreales) causing decaying of egg plant under storage. Study was also undertaken to evaluate the efficacy of some plant extract against Trichothecium roseum on inhibition of spore germination and mycelial growth under in vitro conditions. It was observed from the results that amongst the plant extracts, plant extract of Ajuga bracteosa at highest concentration was found most effective against Trichothecium roseum and cause highest inhibition in the mycelial growth and spore germination followed by plant extract of Taraxicum officinale, Mentha arvensis and Iris kashmiriana at the same concentrations. Other concentrations of plant extracts also bought about significant reduction in mycelial growth and spore germination of the test fungus but to a lesser extent as compared to control.