ANTIFUNGAL ACTIVITY OF ETHYL ACETATE SUB-FRACTION OF METHANOLIC EXTRACTS OF CENCHRUS PENNISETIFORMIS IN THE PRESENCE OF CR(III) AND CR(VI)

Fungicidal potential of three different concentrations (3.15, 6.30 and12.5 mg mL -1 ) of ethyl acetate sub-fraction of shoot and root of Cenchrus pennisetiformis (Hochst. & Steud) Wipff was evaluated against Fusarium oxysporum f. sp . lycopersici under Cr(III) and Cr(VI) toxicity. Ethyl acetate sub-fraction of methanolic root extract exhibited greater antifungal activity than that of shoot extract either alone or combined with the metal ions. Different concentrations of Cr(VI) were found to be more inhibitory to F. oxysporum f. sp . lycopersici than that of Cr(III). Various concentrations (3.15-12.5 mg mL -1 ) of ethyl acetate sub-fraction of methanolic root and shoot extracts significantly decreased fungal biomass by 20-70% and 10-50%, respectively over negative control (without Cr ions or plant extracts). Fungal biomass was significantly declined by 60-90% and 40-60% due to different concentrations (100, 200 and 300 ppm) of Cr(VI) and Cr(III), respectively, over negative control. There was up to 100% and 80% reduction in the fungal biomass due to combined effect of ethyl acetate sub-fraction of root and shoot extract, respectively, with various concentrations of Cr(III) or Cr(VI). It was concluded that ethyl acetate sub-fractions of both methanolic shoot and root extracts exhibited significant antifungal potential against F. oxysporum f. sp . lycopersici in the presence as well as in the absence of Cr ions.