Evaluation of the Efficacy of MesquiteExtract (Prosopisjuliflora)Against(Alternaria solani) as Causal Agent of Early Blight of Tomato

Abstract

The present study was conducted in the laboratory of plant pathology at the College of Agricultural Studies-Sudan University of Science and Technology (Shambat). To isolate and identify the fungus caused early blight in tomato. It is an important disease of this crop and causing significant reduction in yield in tomato and to study the effect of aqueous extract of fruits and bark parts of Mesquite (Prosopisjuliflora) at three concentrations (12.5, 25 and 50%) plus the fungicide Amistar top at standard dose on growth of the fungus. In the present study the pathogenic fungi isolated from infected plant parts of tomato showing typical symptoms of early blight. The fungus identified based on morphological and cultural characters as (Alternariasolani in vitro. The obtained results showed that the fungus grow best on Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) at 28°Ϲ. The antifungal effects of medicinal plant extract of two parts of Mesquite (Prosopisjuliflora) (Fruits and Bark) were determined by using water as solvent by Poisoned Food Technique at 28°Ϲ.The efficacy of plant extracts showed that the two plant extracts gave significant inhibition on the growth of pathogen.The results showed that all concentration of fruits and Bark aquas-extracts ofMesquite tested especially the highest one exhibited significantly high inhibitory effect against the Radial growth of (Alternariasolani)and the fungicide Amistar top® compared by control (44.3%,58%, 70 %,).The current results were taking up from extracts of Mesquite considered promising and encouraging to carry out photochemical analysis of different parts of Mesquite tree by using different solvents to determine the bioactive ingredient in each part of Mesquite. In order to find an alternative botanical fungicide in place of harm and sever uses of pesticides on human, animal health and environment.