Abstract:
Effect of Croton aromaticus aqueous, hot water and ethanolic leaf extracts alone and in
combination with alum against banana crown rot causing fungal pathogens were investigated
using 96 well plate bioassay and liquid bioassay in vitro. According to the results of 96 well plate
assay, C. aromaticus aqueous extract successfully inhibited conidial germination of C. musae up
to 96.9%. Percentage germination inhibition of F. proliferatum is less than that of C. musae. Hot
water extract expressed higher conidial germination inhibition of F. proliferatum. Conidial
germination of C. musae was 100% inhibited at the concentration of 600 (%w/v) of ethanoic
extract and at the same concentration F. proliferatum was inhibited by 90.4 %. Alum was
fungicidal against C. musae and L. theobromae. C. aromaticus leaf extract in combination with
alum controlled F. proliferatum more effectively compared to leaf extract alone. During liquid
bioassay, ethanolic leaf extract totally inhibited the mycelial growth of test pathogens at the
concentration of 800 (%w/v). Among three tested extracts, ethanolic extract was most effective
in inhibiting both spore germination and mycelial growth of crown rot causing fungal pathogens.