Abstract

ANTIFUNGAL ACTIVITY OF FLAX SEED EXTRACT AGAINST SEED-BORNE PATHOGENIC FUNGI

B. T. Pawar*

ABSTRACT

Plant extracts are being used to control the diseases since last several years. Flax oil seeds are reported to exhibit antibacterial and antifungal activity in the literature. It was found to be effective against seed-borne pathogenic fungi. The in vitro studies have been performed by using cup-plate method to examine the antifungal activity of Brassica seeds. Flax seed extract was screened against 5 seed-borne pathogenic fungi viz. Alternaria alternata, Aspergillus niger, Curvularia lunata, Fusarium moniliforme and Trichoderma viride. Out of them, antifungal activity of flax seed extract against F. moniliforme was found maximum (Mean activity zone - 18.33 mm) followed by A. niger (Mean activity zone - 17.67 mm); while minimum activity was observed against C. lunata (Mean activity zone - 14.00 mm). Flax seed extract can possibly be exploited in the management of seed-borne pathogenic fungi to prevent biodeterioration of seeds in an eco-friendly way.

Keywords: Antifungal activity, Flax Seed extract, Seed-Borne Pathogenic Fungi.