Bioactivity of Ethanol Extracts and Powder of Jatropha (Jatropha curcas L.) and Neem (Azadirachta indica A.) plants Seeds Against Eungi and the germination of Millet seeds

Abstract

The present study was conducted in July and August 2011 under laboratory conditions of Plant Pathology, Plant Protection Department where the laboratory temperature was 30Co on average as well as at fields of College of Agricultural Studies (Shambat), Sudan University of Science and Technology. The objectives of the study were to test the bioactivity of Jatropha and Neem (ethanol extract and VII powder of seeds) against Fusarium oxysporium and germination of Millet (Pennisetum typhoides) grains. Three concentrations of ethanol extracts from seeds of Jatropha and Neem were used under laboratory conditions (2 ml, 1 ml and .5 ml) and other three ones from seeds powder (5 gram/pot, 2.5 gram/pot and 1.5 gm/pot) in case of field experiments in addition to the control. The study showed that all concentrations of the extract of Jatropha and Neem seeds exhibited an inhibitory effect against the test fungus compared to water control. Similarly, all the powder concentrations of both plants seeds expressed a reduction effect on percent germination of millet grains. The level of inhibition to growth of fungus and reduction in germination of grains differed with the type and concentration of the extract, seeds powder and the test line of millet. The highest inhibition zone (100%) and (34%) was obtained by the concentrations of extract 2.0 ml of Neem and Jatropha respectively. Likewise, the highest reduction in grain germination percent (11.17%) resulted from the concentrations of 5.0 gm seed powder of Neem and Jatropha. Moreover, the inhibition effect of Neem extract was more remarkable than that of Jatropha whereas the effect of Jatropha powder on germination of grains was more pronounced than that of Neem. Generally, the effect of extract and powder increase with increasing concentration. The present study showed that the extracts of Neem and Jatropha and their seeds powder contained bioactive compounds with inhibitory properties.