A Study on Antifungal Properties of Azadirachta indica, Coriandrum sativum Linn. and Mentha piperita Linn. Plant Extract on Sclerotium rolfsii Causing Root Rot of Chilli

Medicinal plant are great source of thousands new useful phytochemicals of great diversity, which have inhibitory effects on all types of microorganisms in vitro. The present study focus on the leaves extract of Azadirachta indica (neem), Coriandrum sativum Linn. and Mentha piperita Linn at concentration was ranging from 10 %, 25 %, 50 %, 75 %, 100 % (without treatment served as control) in aqueous medium. In the potato dextrose agar medium the inhibited the Sclerotium rolfsii causing root rot diseases in chilli was assessed by poisoned food technique. All three extract inhibited radial growth at various levels. Among three leaves extract tested, Coriandrum sativum Linn showed strong (70.25 % of inhibition) at with both 16.66mm inhibited at 10 & 50 percent concentration of aqueous leaves extract after 48 hours incubation period. The Mentha piperita Linn recorded moderate percentage of inhibition ranges from 7.372 to 63.56 with 79.66mm & 31.33mm inhibited radial mycelial at 10 and 50 percent aqueous medium leaves extract concentration after 72 hours of incubation period. The least percent of inhibition was recorded in Azadirchta indica as 35.92 with 16.66mm inhibited mycelial it was followed by 35.46 percent of inhibition with 40.66mm mycelial growth at 25 & 50 percent concentration after 24 & 48 hours of incubation period respectively. Also fungicidal activity recorded by Azadirachta indica that is 0 % to 4.267 % of inhibition with 63mm to 82.33mm at 50, 75 (for 0 %) and 10 concentrations of leaves extracts after 48 hours and 72 hours of incubation period. These above three medicinal plants are abundant, easily available and have potential fungicidal activity.