Potential of seeds of Psoralea corylifolia L. for the management of phytopathogenic spp.

Aqueous and solvent extracts of seeds of P. corylifolia were evaluated for antifungal activity by poisoned food technique against eight important phytopathogenic species of Fusarium commonly associated with maize seeds. Antifungal activity was observed in both aqueous and solvent extracts. Petroleum ether extract showed highly significant activity against all the Fusarium species. F. graminearum was highly susceptible, while F. lateritium was least susceptible. The antifungal activity increased with increasing concentration of the extract. The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) value of the aqueous extract for F. graminearum was 15% and for F. equiseti, F. moniliforme, F. semitectum and F. solani it was 40%. Total inhibition was not observed in the case of F. lareritium, F. oxysporum and F. proliferatum. The results of the study are of immense value in the management of seed borne phytopathogenic species of Fusarium known to cause significant yield loss in maize.