Efficacy of Balanites aegyptiaca (L.) Del. Hydro-Ethanolic Extract against Three Rice Seed-Borne Fungi

Seed-borne fungi are an important source of rice (Oryza sativa L. ) diseases and causing crop yield reduction worldwide. This study was undertaken to investigate the antifungal activities of Balanitesaegyptiacabark hydro-ethanolic extract against Fusarium solani, Fusarium moniliforme and Curvularialunata and to evaluate the percentages of germination and infectionof rice seeds. Different extract concentrations ranging from 0.25, 0.5 and 1 % were tested during 15 days using poisoned food technique method for in vitro antifungal activity against above three fungal strains. The same concentrations of extract were used to evaluate in vivo antifungal activity on rice seeds infected by these three fungal strains. The extract exhibited antifungal activity in terms of inhibition of mycelial growth of all fungi in a concentration-dependent manner. The extract concentration inducing 100 % inhibition of mycelial growth was 0.5 % for Curvularialunataand 1 % forFusarium solani and Fusarium moniliforme. It has been observed that when Balanitesaegyptiaca hydro-ethanolic extract concentration increased up to 1 %, seeds germination percentage decreased for all fungi. However, seeds infection decreased with the highest concentration (1 %) for all fungi. In this study, the results show that Balanitesaegyptiacahydro-ethanolicbark extract can be used as a potential antifungal agent in the management of rice fungal diseases caused by pathogenic Fusarium solani, Fusarium moniliforme and Curvularialunata. The hydro-ethanolic extract of Balanitesaegyptiaca, at low concentration, couldbe used as an alternative biopesticide to control rice seed-borne fungi.