Evaluation of Ageratum houstonianum Mill leaves extracts against phytopathogenic fungi

Abstract

<em>Ageratum houstonianum </em>Mill. (Asteraceae) leaves extract (in distilled water and methanol) was evaluated against five phytopathogenic fungi: <em>Alternaria brassicae, Botrytis cinerea, Fusarium oxysporum, Phytophthora capsici </em>and <em>Sclerotium rolfsii </em>at different concentrations (50, 100, 150, 200, and 250 mg/mL). The phytochemical screening depicted the presence of terpenoids, saponins, flavonoids, tannins and alkaloids. The activity test of extracts against fungi was determined by poisoned food technique and linear mycelium growth reduction (LMGR) percentage was calculated. Methanol crude leaf extract had higher antifungal potential than the distilled water extract. Aqueous and methanolic extracts of leaves of <em>A. houstonianum</em> greatly reduced the mycelium growth of tested fungi, which can be used for the disease management.