Abstract

PHYTOTOXIC ACTIVITY OF EUCALYPTUS GLOBULUS LEAF EXTRACTS ON GERMINATION AND SEEDLING GROWTH OF TOMATO

Surbhi Mehta* and Kanika Sharma

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study was to evaluate the phytotoxic potential of 100% alcoholic crude extract as well as petroleum ether fraction of young leaves of Eucalyptus globulus on seed germination and seedling growth of tomato (Solanum lycopersicon) as well as to determine the growth bioassay. The crude extract was prepared by cold extraction method and petroleum ether fraction was prepared by hot extraction method with soxhlet assembly. The extraction was carried out with young healthy leaves (in powder form) and organic solvent. 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 mg/ml concentrations are used for phytotoxicity assay. Phytotoxicity was done by standard blotter method. The Result showed that 5, 10 and 15 mg/ml concentration of extract was non phytotoxicand were further used for in vivo experiments using chambered plastic tray. The phytotoxic potential of the crude as well as partially purified extract of leaves of Eucalyptus globulus varied according to concentration and it is called concentration depended inhibitory effect. 25 mg/ml concentration had the greatest inhibitory effect on the seed germination that is 35% in crude extract and 30% in a partially purified extract. Similarly, 25 mg/ml concentration observed to be toxic against a seedling growth of tomato and indicating that the compound responsible for the phytotoxic residue within these extracts. The major cause of performing this assay is related to develop a safer and herbal formulation using this plant extracts to control plant pathogenic fungi.

Keywords: phototoxic potential, crude extract, soxhlet assembly, herbal formulation,