Evaluation of the Antifungal Activity of the Potent Fraction of Hexane Extract Obtained from the bark of Acacia Nilotica

Crude hexane extract and its different fractions (Fraction-1 to Fraction-11) isolated from the stem-bark of Acacia nilotica were tested for the antifungal activity against important phytopathogens Altarnaria brassicae, Fusarium oxysporum ciceris and Rhizoctonia solani at 15 % concentrations were assessed by modified food poison method. Crude hexane extract of stem-bark of Acacia nilotica showed high percent mycelial inhibition against Rhizoctonia solani followed by Altarnaria brassicae and Fusarium oxysporum ciceris and FRACTION-2 of hexane extract of stem-bark of Acacia nilotica was most effective in terms of percent mycelial growth inhibition in case of Altarnaria brassicae and Rhizoctonia solani than all other fractions. The FRACTION-1 of hexane extract of stem-bark of Acacia nilotica was most effective in terms of percent mycelial growth inhibition in case of Fusarium oxysporum ciceris than all other fractions. This antifungal activity may be due to presence of phytoconstituents such as carbohydrates, sterols, triterpenoids and anthraquinone. The results were compared with standard antifungal acetic acid as a (+ ve) control. By using Kruskal Wallis test, Fraction-2 has high antifungal activity against the plant pathogens Altarnaria brassicae, Fusarium oxysporum ciceris, Rhizoctonia solani.