In vitro evaluation of the efficacy of plant and callus extracts of Cardiospermum halicacabum L. on important phytopathogenic fungi

The aqueous and different solvent extracts viz., petroleum ether, chloroform, methanol and ethanol extracts of leaf and leaf derived callus of Cardiospermum halicacabum L. (Sapindaceae) at different concentrations were screened in vitro for antifungal activity by the poisoned food technique against a wide array of seed-borne phytopathogenic fungi. The test organisms include Aspergillus flavus, A. niger, Curvularia lunata, Drechslera halodes, Fusarium moniliforme, F. solani, and F. oxysporum, which are frequently associated with sorghum Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench], maize (Zea mays L.) and paddy (Oryza sativa L.) seeds. Aqueous leaf extracts of C. halicacabum showed significant inhibition was observed at 50% concentration particularly in Aspergillus species. With regard to the comparative efficiency of leaf and leaf derived callus extracts, aqueous leaf extract was found to be more effective than callus extract. Among the different solvent extracts, it was observed that at 3000 ppm concentration methanol extract of C. halicacabum leaf recorded the highest degree of activity and percentage inhibition was more, but in petroleum ether and chloroform extracts did not show any significant activity. C. halicacabum leaf derived callus at 3000 ppm methanol extract showed significant antifungal activity on Fusarium species. Leaf of C. halicacabum aqueous and methanol extract showed significant antifungal activity against all the tested fungi. C. halicacabum has significant medicinal value, hence the results of the present investigation indicate that it could be exploited in the management of seed-borne pathogenic fungi.