Antifungal activity of winged cudweed [Gnaphalium luteo-album L. (Pseudognaphalium luteo-album (L.) Hilliard & Burtt)] against Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. lycopersici race 3.

Abstract

Objective: To describe the antifungal activity of propanone, hexane, methylene chloride and methanol extracts of Pseudognaphalium luteoalbum against Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. lycopersici race 3.

Design/methodology/approach: P. luteoalbum individuals were grown from seed and extracts were obtained using propanone, hexane, methylene chloride and methanol from the aerial part of mature plants. The extracts were subjected to antifungal activity tests against F. oxysporum f.sp. lycopersici race 3 corresponding to the agar disk diffusion method for mycelium, a microconidia germination test and a Riddell test. It was also carried out a test for toxicity of acetone and dimethyl sulfoxide.

Results: None of the extracts of P. luteoalbum showed antifungal activity against F. oxysporum f.sp. lycopersici race 3. The acetone an dimethyl sulfoxide were toxic to the fungus from 15%.

Limitations on study/implications: The results are restrained to the tested genotypes of P. luteoalbum, their growth environmental conditions and the fungus F. oxysporum f.sp. lycopersici race 3.

Findings/conclusions: It is not recommended to use any extract of P. luteoalbum to control F. oxysporum f.sp. lycopersici race 3.

Key words: Jersey cudweed, extracts, disk diffusion test, microconidia germination.