In vitro assessment of crude extract from Gomphrena weed (Gomphrena celosioides Mart.) for control of plant pathogenic fungi causing chili diseases

Abstract

The phytochemical screening of both the flowers and other aerial parts of the Gomphrena weed extract (Gomphrena celosioides Mart.) presented alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, phenolics/tannins, and terpenoids. The extracts from both parts at 80, 160, and 240 mg/ml were significantly inhibited the mycelial growth of C. gloeosporioides and Fusarium sp. compared to inoculated control by paper disc diffusion. The extract from both parts of the Gomphrena weed at the highest concentration (160 mg/ml) significantly showed the greatest inhibitory effect on mycelial growth of Sclerotium sp. (100 percent), followed by C. gloeosporioides (82.5 percent), Cercospora sp. (41.16 percent), and Fusarium sp. (24.41 percent) when tested using the poisoned food technique. The spore germination test revealed both parts of the weed extract yielded concentrations which were completely inhibited (100 percent) on the spore germination of C. capsici, C. gloeosporioides, and Fusarium sp.