Study the Antifungal Activity of Selected Plant Extracts in Chilli Infected by Colletotrichum

Abstract

Chilli (Capsicum spp.) is a widely cultivated crop susceptible to fungal infections, particularly by Colletotrichum species, causing significant yield losses worldwide. The study aimed to evaluate the antifungal activity of selected plant extracts against Colletotrichum- infected chilli. Plant extracts were prepared from Azadirachta indica (neem), Allium sativum (garlic), and Curcuma longa (turmeric) using various solvents. These extracts were screened for their antifungal efficacy through in vitro assays, including agar well diffusion and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) determination. newline newlineThe results indicated that all tested plant extracts exhibited varying degrees of antifungal activity against Colletotrichum. Neem extract showed the highest inhibition zone diameter of 20 mm, followed by garlic (18 mm) and turmeric (16 mm) at their respective optimal newlinein vivo studies demonstrated that these extracts significantly reduced disease severity in chilli plants compared to the control. newline newlineIn conclusion, the findings highlight the potential of neem, garlic, and turmeric extracts as natural antifungal agents against Colletotrichum in chilli. Their effectiveness warrants further exploration for development as eco-friendly alternatives to synthetic fungicides in sustainable crop protection strategies. newline newline newline newline