Evaluation of possible biological control of Fusarium concentricum sp. using plant extracts and antagonistic species of microbes in vitro [version 2; peer review: 1 approved, 2 approved with reservations]

Background: Fusarium concentricum is one of the most devastating fungi responsible for fruit and vegetable crops rot worldwide. The present study was designed to find an ecofriendly control measure for pathogenic Fusarium concentricum, using suitable bioagents. Methods: Medicinal plant extracts were evaluated or their antifungal activities against Fusarium concentricum using the poisoned food and serial dilution methods. Antagonistic potency of some nonpathogenic microbes was also assessed on Fusarium concentricum using the dual culture method. Results: Highest inhibition of growth of Fusarium concentricum was observed with 68.1% (0.389 mg per 90 mm Petri plate) of mycelia on Coccinia grandis plant leaf extract, in comparison to the control grown with 100.0% (1.22 mg/dish). The tested plants extract showed MIC values rages of 80-150 µg/ml on the isolated fungus. The highest inhibition of radial growth was observed using Trichoderma viride on Fusarium concentricum (46.01% inhibition). Conclusions: The findings of present study would be benevolent for antifungal drug development to control Fusarium concentricum causing fruit and vegetable rot.