Abstract
Few essential oils were extracted from the seed of black cumin (Nigella sativa). Asafoetida (Ferula asafoetida) and garlic (Allium sativum) to determine their antifungal activity against 13 seed borne fungal species Aspergillus niger, A. flavus, A. called, A. wentii, Alternaria alternata, A. solani, Drechslera hawaiiensis, D. tetramera, Fusarium moniliforme, F. semitectum, F. solani and Rhizoctonia spp. found associated with okra seeds. The fungi were isolated by standard blotter and potato dextrose agar (PDA) methods by ISTA techniques from three different okra seed varieties viz., sabzpari, shazadi (Pakistani) and green star (Indian). Essential oils were extracted from black cumin (Nigella sativa). Asafoetida (Ferula asafoetida) and garlic (Allium sativum) seeds were tested for their antifungal activity at concentrations 0.15%, 0.25% and 0.35% against the seed borne fungi of okra seeds. Here, we demonstrate that asafoetida oil @ 0.25% and 0.35 % significantly inhibited the growth of all fungi. It was revealed that the Pakistani variety (shazadi) shown less number of fungi followed by green star and sabzpari. This study will help to identify and select okra varieties showing defence against seed borne diseases.
