242

Middle East Journal of Agriculture Research, 3(2): 242-249, 2014

ISSN 2077-4605

Antifungal activity of Moringa oleifera oil and seed extract against some plant
pathogenic fungi.
1
Riad S.R. ElMohamedy and 2Aboelfetoh M. Abdallah
1
Plant Pathology Department, National Research Center, Cairo, Egypt.
2
Horticulture Technology Department. National Research Center, Cairo, Egypt.

ABSTRACT

The antifungal activities of Moringa oleifera oil and seed extract were investigated in vitro against seven
plant pathogenic fungi i.e., Fusarium oxysporum, Fusarium solani, Alternaria solani, Alternaria alternate,
Rhizoctonia solani , Sclerotium rolfsii and Macrophomina phaseolina . Results clearly showed that seed extracts
and oil of Moringa oleifera were significantly reduced linear growth, spore germination and dry growth weight
of all tested pathogens. M . oleifera oil and seed extract had different degrees of inhibition against growth rate
and spore germination all tested pathogens. Reduction of growth and spore germination increased by increasing
oil and seed extract. The highest records of reduction on both growth and spore germination were recorded for
moringa oil at a concentration of 2.0%, followed by seed extract. F. oxysporum, F. solani and A. solani, A.
alternate were highly affected by M. oleifera oil and seed extract than R. solani, S. rolfsii and M. phaseolina.
Moringa oil and seed extract may be recommended as a potent bio-fungicide. Extensive studies should be
undertaken for the Moringa oleifera extracts as a strong antifungal agent against fungal plant diseases under
field conditions.

Key words: Moringa oleifera , phytopathogenic fungi , Antifungal activity , spore germination .

Introdction

In recent years, interests have been generated in the development of safer antifungal agents from natural
plant products such as, essential oils and extracts to control fungal diseases. Various plant materials are believed
to have antifungal activity, as many essential oils and plant extracts have been reported to have antifungal
activities with no side effects on humans and animals (Tabassum and Vidyasagar, 2013). Previous in vitro and
in vivo investigations suggested that the essential oils and plant extracts could be used as effective antifungal
agents against many phytopathogenic fungi (Sun et al., 2007; Lee et al., 2007; El-Mohamedy et al., 2013).
Moringa (Moringa oleifera Lam.) has gained much importance in the recent days due to its multiple used
and benefits to agriculture and industry. Regarded as a miracle plant, all parts of moringa plant are used for
medicinal and other purposes (Price, 2000; Anwar et al., 2007). Recently, the roles of aqueous extracts of
various plant parts in enhancing plant growth and productivity have been explored, making it even more
valuable plant species (Anwar and Rashid, 2007). Investigations were carried out to evaluate the therapeutic
properties of the seeds and leaves of Moringa oleifera Lam. as natural fungicides and herbal medicines (Bowers
and Locke, 2000; Chuang et al., 2007; Satish et al., 2007; Dwivedi and Enespa, 2012; Tabassum and
Vidyasagar, 2013)
Fungal infections cause significant loss in many economic crops. Crop losses are estimated to be about 14%
worldwide (Agrios 2005). Chemical control may be available to effectively and extensively reduce the effects of
most fungal diseases but field application of these chemical fungicides may not always be desirable. Excessive
and improper use of these fungicides presents a danger to the health of humans, animals, and the environment.
Therefore, extensive searches for bio fungicides that are environmentally safe and easily biodegradable have
been carried out during the last two decades (Gnanamanickam 2002). The investigation of plants containing
natural antimicrobial metabolites for plant protection has been identified as a desirable method of disease
control (Rai and Carpinella 2006). Various plant products like plant extracts, essential oils, gums, resins etc.
were shown to exert biological activity in vitro and in vivo and are used as bio-fungicidal compounds (Fawzi et
al. 2009; Al-Askar and Rashad 2010). The main reasons for using essential oils as antifungal agents are because
they are natural in origin and because there is a low chance of pathogens developing resistance to them.
Essential oils may have a minimum adverse effect on the physiological processes of plants and have less
environmental hazards compared to their synthetic alternatives. Since essential oils are plant products, they are
easily convertible into a common organic material and eco-friendly (Gnanamanickam 2002). Sseed extracts of
Moringa oleifera were assayed for the evaluation of antimicrobial activity against bacterial (Pasturella
multocida, Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis and Staphlocuccus aureus) and fungal (Fusarium solani and

Corresponding Author: Riad S.R. ElMohamedy, Plant Pathology Department, National Research Center, Cairo, Egypt.
E-mail: riadelmohamedy@yahoo.com
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Middle East j. Agric. Res., 3(2): 242-249, 2014

Rhizopus solani) strains. The zones of growth inhibition showed greater sensitivity against the bacterial strains
as compared to the fungal strains (Jamil et al. 2008).
The aim of this work was to investigate the antifungal activity of seed extract and oil of Moringia olelfera
in vitro, on the growth of seven phytopathogenic fungi i.e., Fusarium oxysporum , Fusarium solani, Alternaria
solani, Alternaria alternate, Rhizoctonia solani, Sclerotium rolfsii and Macrophomina phaseolina the causal
agents of many root rot, wilt and foliar diseases of many crops.

Materials And Methods

Plant materials:

This study was carried out at the Department of Plant Pathology, National Research Center, Egypt. The
source of Moringa oleifera oil and seeds kindly were obtained from Egyptian Scientific Society of Moringa
(ESSM), National Research Center, Dokki, Cairo, Egypt.

Fungal cultures:

Seven plant pathogenic fungi such as Fusarium oxysporum, Fusarium solani, Alternaria solani, Alternaria
alternate, Rhizoctonia solani, Sclerotium rolfsii and Macrophomina phaseolina were maintained and grown on
potato dextrose agar medium. These pathogens were isolated and identified at Plant Pathology Department
.National Resrach Center ,Cairo ,Egypt , the pathogenicty of each fungi were tested and recorded in previous
studies by the author(El-Mohamedy et al., 2013).

Preparation of morniga seed extract:

Good quality dried Moringa oleifera seeds were selected and wings and coat from seeds were removed.
Fine powder was prepared by using mortar and pestle and this powder was directly used aqueous extraction
according to the method adopted by Price (2000). The aqueous extract prepared by this way in extraction; an
amount of 100g of M. oleifera crashed seeds was boiled in 500 ml distilled water in a water path at 70 C for 15
minutes and filtered. The filtrate was put in the freezer till freezing point, then extracted successfully by using
Freeze drier apparatus for 96 hours. The supernatant layer was collected carefully in a clean container. Different
concentrations (5, 10,15, 20, 25 %) of moringa seed extracts were prepared.

Antifungal assay:

Effect of moringa seed extract and oil on mycelia growth:

Antifungal activity of moringa oil and/or seed extract was performed by the agar medium assay. Potato
dextrose agar (PDA) medium with different concentrations of moringa seed extract (5, 10,15, 20, 25 %) as well
as different concentrations of moringa oil (0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5 %) were prepared by adding appropriate
quantity of moringa oil to melted medium, followed by addition of Tween 80 (100 L to 100 mL of medium)
to disperse the oil in the medium . About 20 ml of the medium were poured into glass Petri-dishes (9 cm x 1.5
cm). A 6 mm diameter agar disk bearing hyphae of either Fusarium oxysporum, Fusarium solani, Alternaria
solani, Alternaria alternate, Rhizoctonia solani, Sclerotium rolfsii or Macrophomina phaseolinafrom 7-days-
old colonies grown on PDA medium was transferred at the centre of each Petri-dish. Positive control (without
moringa oil and or seed extract ) plates were inoculated following the same procedure. Plates were incubated at
25C for 8 days and the colony diameter was recorded each day. Minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) was
defined as the lowest concentration of moringa oil in which no growth occurred. The MGI (Mycelia Growth
Inhibition) percentage was calculated and expressed as percentage of reduction.

Effect of moringa seed extract and oil on mycelia dry mass:

The moringa oil and/or seed extract were mixed aseptically with sterilized Potato broth medium to produce
concentrations 0.5, 1.0,1.5, 2.0, 2.5 % and 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 % of oil and seed extract respectively and dispensed
in 50 mL aliquots into 250 mL Erlenmeyer flask. A 6 mm diameter agar disk bearing hyphae of either F.
oxysporum, F. solani, A. solani, A. alternate, R. solani, S. rolfsii or M. phaseolinafrom 7-days-old colonies
grown on PDA medium was transferred to each flask and incubated at 271C for 10 days. Five flasks were
prepared for each treatment .The mycelia were harvested, dried to constant weight at 80lC, the dry mass yield
was recorded and the percentage of reduction in mass production was calculated
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Middle East j. Agric. Res., 3(2): 242-249, 2014

Effect of moringa seed extract and oil on spore and sclertia germination:

Sclerotia of R. solani, S. rolfsii and M . phaseolina produced on potato dextrose agar (PDA) were collected
and surface disinfected by soaking them for 5 min in 1:400 (w/v) bromine in water to kill hyphal extension,
washed thoroughly with distilled water and dried . Ten sclerotia/Petri dish for either pathogen were plated on the
surface of tap water agar (1.5% w/v) supplemented with different concentrations of oil and/or seed extract of
moringa maintained above. The dishes were incubated at 271C for 24 h the percentage of germinated sclerotia
were determined and five plates were prepared for each treatment.
For F. oxysporum, F. solani, A. solani and A. alternate, microscope slides were covered, each, with 1 mL of
spores suspension of each pathogen in aqueous solution of the desired oil and/or seed extract concentrations in
Petri dishes and then incubated at 271C for 8 h in complete darkness. The percentage of germination was
assessed according . Five plates were prepared for each treatment and the means were compared.

Statistical analyses:

All experiments were set up in a complete randomized design. One-way ANOVA was used to analyze
differences between antagonistic inhibitor effect and mycelial growth of pathogenic fungi in vitro. A general
linear model option of the analysis system SAS (48) was used to perform the ANOVA. Duncans multiple range
tests at P < 0.05 level was used for means separation (Winer, 1971).

Results:

Fungicidal activity against myceliae linear growth, spore /sclerotia germination and dry growth amount
weight of seven pathogenic plant fungi i.e., Fusarium oxysporum, Fusarium solani, Alternaria solani,
Alternaria alternate, Rhizoctonia solani, Sclerotium rolfsii and Macrophomina phaseolina was observed at
different concentrations of M. oleifera oil and seed extracts in vitro.

1-Antifugal activities of Moringa oleifera oil:

Efficiency of M. oleifera oil at different concentrations in decreasing linear growth, spore / sclerotia
germination and growth amount dry weight of the investigated pathogenic plant fungi was studied.
Results in Table (1) show that fungal mycelial growth was sharply decreased with increasing concentration
of moringa oil to reach minimum growth at 2.0%. Moringa oil at 2.5% completely inhibit the linear growth of
all tested pathogens. F. oxysporum and F. solani were complete hampered at 2.0% of moringa oil, but the
growth of A. solani, A. alternate inhibited by 86.6 and 75.6 % .Meanwhile, R. solani, S. rolfsii and M.
phaseolina showed growth reduction reach to 81.1, 74.8, and 79.4 % respectively at 2.0% moringa oil
concentration. Mycelial growth of F. oxysporum, F. solani, A. solani, A. alternate showed more sensitivity to
morigna oil than R. solani , S. rolfsii and M. phaseolina. It is clear to state that moringa oil at all tested
concentration had antifungal activity against the most root rot and foliar disease pathogens under this
investigation.

Table 1: Effect of M. oleifera oil at different concentrations on Linear growth (mm) of some pathogenic plant fungi on PDA medium .
M. oleifera oil Concentration %
Pathogenic fungi 0.0 % 0.5% 1.0% 1.5% 2.0% 2.5%
D I D I D I D I D I D I
Fusarium oxysporum 90a 0.0 38b 55.8 28c 68.8 16d 75.6 0.0e 100 0e 100
Fusarium solani 90a 0.0 40b 54.0 26c 66.6 12d 70.2 0.0e 100 0e 100
Alternaria solani 90a 0.0 56b 39.6 42c 53.3 31d 62.1 12e 86.6 0e 100
Alternaria alternate 90a 0.0 60b 36.0 45c 50.0 36d 57.6 16e 75.6 0f 100
Rhizoctonia solani 90a 0.0 68b 28.8 52c 43.2 40d 54.0 17e 81.1 0f 100
Sclerotium rolfsii 90a 0.0 70b 27.0 60c 36.0 43d 51.3 22e 74.8 0f 100
Macrophomina phaseolina 90a 0.0 65b 27.7 57c 38.7 46d 58.6 18e 79.4 0f 100
D= colony diameter (mm) I = Inhibition percentage (%) as compared to the control (0.0 %) .
Means followed by the same letters are not significantly different according to Duncans multiple range test (P 0.05).

Studies on spore germination represent and integral part of the ecological studies of the pathogenic fungi, as
spores are the specialized structures capable of initiating new growth. Once germination had occurred, the
ensuring mycelia growth rate may be of prime importance in determining the degree of virulence of the fungus
concerned. The antifungal efficiency of moringa oil towards spore germinationand dry growth weight of seven
phytopathogenic fungi was studied in vitro and the results are presented in Figar (1).
Figar (1) show cleary that all concentrations of moringa oil inhibit spore germination of F. oxysporum, A.
solani and A. alternate as well as sclertia germination of R. solani , S. rolfsii and M. phaseolina with different
 245
Middle East j. Agric. Res., 3(2): 242-249, 2014

values. Moringa oil at 2.5 % completely inhibit spores and sclerotia germination of all tested pathogens.
Moringa oil at 2.0 % reduced spores germination of F. oxysporum and F. solani by 100%; A. solani, A. and A.
alternate by 92.2 and 90.0 %, sclerotia germination of R. solani, S. rolfsii and M. phaseolina by 84.4 , 82.2
and 95.8 % respectively. Spores germination of F.oxysporum , F. solani , A. solani and A. alternate showed
more sensitivity to morigna oil than R. solani, S. rolfsii and M. phaseolina.
Concerning the effect of moringa oil on dry growth amount weight of all tested pathogens, the same trend
of result was observed also in Figure(1). Moringa oil at 2.5 % was the most effective in decreasing dry growth
amount of F. oxysporum , F. solani, A. solani, A. alternate, R. solani, S. rolfsii and M. phaseolina (100%). At
1.5 and 2.0 % concentrations of moringa oil reduction varies from 51.2% to 88.6 % and 71.4 % to 96.0% of
moringa oil. In the lowest concentrations 0.5 and 1.0 % of moringa oil minimum inhibition of dry growth
amount as recoded by R solani, S rolfsii and M. phaseolina .The most affected pathogens by all concentrations
of moringa oil were F. oxysporum , F. solani followed by A. solani and A. alternate, but R. solani, S. rolfsii
and M. phaseolina showed less sensitivity against moringa oil compeered with other pathogens. Moringa oil
show high effectiveness against spore and sclerotia germination of all tested pathogens than on dry growth
amount of these pathogens.

120
Fusarium solani
120 Fusarium oxysporum 100
100 80
SG Reduction
80 60
% SG
Reduction % 60 DW 40
40 DW
20
20
0
0

0.50% 1.00% 1.50% 2.00% 2.50% 0.50% 1.00% 1.50% 2.00% 2.50%
Moringa oil concentration % Moringa oil concentration %

Alternaria alternata

120
120
Alternaria solani 100
100
80
80
Reduction SG
Reduction SG 60
60 %
%
40 DW 40 DW

20 20

0 0

0.50% 1.00% 1.50% 2.00% 2.50% 0.50% 1.00% 1.50% 2.00% 2.50%
Moringa oil concentration % Moringa oil concentration %

Rhizoctonia solani Sclerotium rolsfsii

120 120

100 100
Reduction %

80 80
Reduction %

SG SG
60 60
DW DW
40 40

20 20

0 0
0.50% 1.00% 1.50% 2.00% 2.50% 0.50% 1.00% 1.50% 2.00% 2.50%
Moringa oil concentration % Moringa oil concentration %

120 Macrophomina phaseolina

100
80
Reduction SG
60
% DW
40
20
0
0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5

Moringa oil concentration %

Fig. 1: Reduction (%) of spore/sclerotia germination (SG) and dry growth (DW) amount of some
phtyopathogenic fungi in response to different concentrations of Moringa oleifera oil in vitro
 246
Middle East j. Agric. Res., 3(2): 242-249, 2014

2-Antifungal activities of Moringia oleifera seed extract (MSE):

Different concentrations (5,10,15, 20, 25 %) of moringa oliefera seeds extracts were tested against F.
oxysporum, F. solani, A. solani, A. alternate, R. solani, S. rolfsii and M. phaseolina to determine their antifungal
activity in vitro tests.
Results in Table (2) Cleary show that fungicidal activity against linear growth of all tested pathogens was
observed at all concentrations of moringa seed extract (MSE) .The inhibitory effect against all tested pathogens
increased by increasing MSE concentration to reach maximum effect (complete reduction) at 25 % of MSE .
Moringa seed extract at 20 % completely reduce (100%) the linear growth of F. oxysporum , F. solani , A.solani ,
A. alternate , and by 94.4 , 81.9 , 92.2 % of R. solani , S. rolfsii and M. phaseolina .At 10 % and 20 %
concentrations of MSE, growth reduction varies from 66.7 % to 82.2 % and 82.2 % to 95.5 % of all tested
pathogens respectively . Mycelial growth of F. oxysporum , F. solani , A. solani , A. alternate showed more
sensitivity to morigna seed extract (MSE) than R. solani , S. rolfsii and M. phaseolina. It is clear to state MSE had
antifungal activity against the most roots rot and foliar plant pathogens under this investigation.

Table 2: Efficiency of M. oleifera seed extract at different concentrations on Linear growth (mm) of some pathogenic plant fungi on PDA
medium.
M. oleifera seed extract concentration %
Pathogenic fungi 0.0 % 5% 10% 15% 20% 25%
D I D I D I D I D I D I
Fusarium oxysporum 90a 0.0 30b 66.7 19b 82.2 4c 95.5 0c 100 0c 100
Fusarium solani 90a 0.0 30b 66.7 18b 80.0 7c 92.2 0c 100 0c 100
Alternaria solani 90a 0.0 60b 33.3 18b 80.0 8c 91.1 0d 100 0d 100
Alternaria alternate 90a 0.0 72b 20.0 13b 85.5 8c 91.1 0d 100 0d 100
Rhizoctonia solani 90a 0.0 54b 41.0 28b 68.9 11c 87.8 5d 94.4 0d 100
Sclerotium rolfsii 90a 0.0 64b 32.0 36b 60.0 18c 80.0 9d 81.9 0c 100
Macrophomina phaseolina 90a 0.0 65b 30.0 30b 66.7 16c 82.2 7d 92.2 0c 100
D= colony diameter (mm) I = Inhibition percentage (%) as compared to the control (0.0 %) .
Means followed by the same letters are not significantly different according to Duncans multiple range test (P 0.05).

M. oleifera seed extract cause decreasing in percentage of spore /sclerotia germination as well as amount of
dry growth of all tested pathogens (Figure 2). Results in Figure(2) demonstrated that all concentrations of
moringa seed extract (MSE) hampered spore germination of F. oxysporum, F. solani, A. solani and A. alternate
as well as sclertia germination of R. solani, S. rolfsii and M. phaseolina with different values. Moringa seed
extract at 20.0 and 25 % cause complete (100%) inhibition of germinated spores and/or sclerotic of all tested
pathogens. Moringa seed extract at 15 % reduced spores germination of F. oxysporum and F. solani by 100%;
A. solani and A. alternate by 88.8 and 86.2 % . Meanwhile, it reduced sclerotia germination of R. solani, S.
rolfsii and M. phaseolina by 90.0, 85.4 and 92.2 % respectively. At lowest concentrations of MSE (5 % and
10%) reduction of germinated spores and/or sclerotia varies from 40.6 % to 65.2 % and 71.2 % to 82.0 % of
all tested pathogens respectively . Spores germination of F. oxysporum, F. solani, A. solani and A. alternate
showed more sensitivity to morigna seed extract than R. solani, S. rolfsii and M. phaseolina.
Concerning the effect of moringa seed extract on dry growth amount weight of all tested pathogens, the
same trend of result was observed in Figure(2). Concentrations of Moringa seed extract at 20 and 25 % were the
most effective in decreasing dry growth weight of F. oxysporum, F. solani, A. solani, A. alternate R. solani, S.
rolfsii and M. phaseolina (100%). Reduction in dry growth of all tested pathogens was varies from 63.6 % to
82.0 % and 85.4 % to 100 % at 10 and 15 % concentrations of moringa seed extract. In the lowest
concentrations 5 % of moringa seed extract , minimum inhibition of dry growth amount as recoded by R. solani,
S. rolfsii and M. phaseolina. Moringa seed extract at all concentrations show high effectiveness against spore
and sclerotia germination of all tested pathogens than on dry growth amount of these pathogens. The most
affected pathogens by all concentrations of moringa seed extract were F. oxysporum, F. solani followed by A.
solani and A. alternate, but R. solani, S. rolfsii and M. phaseolina showed less sensitivity against moringa oil
compeered with other pathogens
 247
Middle East j. Agric. Res., 3(2): 242-249, 2014

120
Fusa ri um sol a ni
100
120
Fusa ri um oxysporum
100 80
Reduction
60 SG
80 %
Reduction SG 40 DW
60
% DW 20
40
0
20
5 10 15 20 25
0
Moringa seed extract concentration %
5 10 15 20 25
Moringa seed extract %

120 120 Alternaria alternata

Al terna ri a sol a ni 100
100
80
80 Reduction SG
Reduction SG 60
60 % DW
% 40
DW
40
20
20 0
0 5 10 15 20 25
5 10 15 20 25 Moringa seed extract concentration %
Moringa seed extract concentration %

120 120
Rhi zoctoni a sol a ni Scl eroti um rol fsi i
100 100
80 80
Reduction SG Reduction SG
60 60
% DW % DW
40 40
20 20
0 0
5 10 15 20 25 5 10 15 20 25
Moringa seed extract concentration % Moringa seed extract concentration %

120 M acrophomina phaseolina

100
80 SG
Reduction
60
% DW
40
20
0
5 10 15 20 25
Moringa seed extract concentration %

Fig. 2: Reduction (%) of spore/sclerotia germination (SG) and dry growth (DW) amount of some
phtyopathogenic fungi in response to different concentrations of Moringa oleifera seed extract in
vitro.

Discussion:
Synthetic fungicides are currently used as the primary means for the control of plant diseases. However, the
alternative control methods are needed because of the negative public perceptions about the use of synthetic
chemicals, resistance to fungicides among fungal pathogens, and high development cost of new chemicals. The
uses of plant derived products as diseases control agents have been studied, since they tend to have low
mammalian toxicity, less environmental effects and wide public acceptance (Seema et al., 2011; Moyo et al.,
2012). To develop environment-friendly alternatives to synthetic fungicides for the control of fungal plant
diseases, the interest on essential oils and plant extracts has been increased. (Gnanamanickam 2002)
In this study, we investigated the antifungal activities of Moringa oleifera oil and seed extract against seven
plant pathogenic fungi i.e., F. oxysporum, F. solani, A. solani, A. alternate, R. solani, S. rolfsii and M.
phaseolina. Our results demonstrated that Moringa oleifera oil and seed extract at all tested concentrations had
considerable effect on the growth rate and spore germination of all tested pathogens. Moringa oil at 2.5%
completely inhibit the linear growth of all tested pathogens. F. oxysporum and F. solani were complete
 248
Middle East j. Agric. Res., 3(2): 242-249, 2014

hampered at 2.0% of moringa oil ,but the growth of A. solani, A. alternate inhibited by 86.6 and 75.6 %
.Meanwhile, R. solani, S. rolfsii and M. phaseolina showed growth reduction reach to 81.1, 74.8, and 79.4 %
respectively . The most affected pathogens by all concentrations of moringa oil were F. oxysporum, F. solani
followed by A. solani and A. alternate, but R. solani, S. rolfsii and M. phaseolina showed less sensitivity against
moringa oil compeered with other pathogens . Similar studies have been carried out by different researcher on
antifungal activity of essential oil and extract of many plants (Satish et al., 2007 ; Jamil et al., 2007 ; Anwar and
Rashid, 2007;Sun et al., 2007).
The essential oil of Thymus vulgaris suppressed the mycelial growth of C. gloeosporioides, Fusarium
oxysporum and Rhizoctonia solani and that of Cymbopogon citratus was active to only F. oxysporum (Lee et al.,
2007). Many essential oils and plant extracts have been found to be potent fungitoxic agents against many plant
pathogens (Siripornvisal and Ngamchawee, 2010; El-Mohamedy et al., 2013; Tabassum and Vidyasagar, 2013;
Abd el-kader et al., 2013). However, the harmful effects on fungi were restricted in: (a) partial or complete
inhibition on spore germination, sporulation or mycelia growth and (b) alternation in physiology and
biochemistry activities of the fungal cells. Several in vitro studies have been published confirming the effect of
essential oil and their major compounds on plant and human pathogenic fungi (Lee et al., 2007; Chuang et al.,
2007; Tabassum and Vidyasagar, 2013; Hadi and Kashefi, 2013).
Studies on spore germination represent and integral part of the ecological studies of the pathogenic fungi, as
spores are the specialized structures capable of initiating new growth. Our studies also show that Moringa seed
extract at 20 % completely reduce (100%) the linear growth of F. oxysporum, F. solani, A. solani, A. alternate,
and by 94.4, 81.9, 92.2 % of R. solani, S. rolfsii and M. phaseolina. In addition, Moringa seed extract at 20.0
and 25 % cause complete (100%) inhibition of germinated spores and/or sclerotia of all tested pathogens.
Spores germination of F. oxysporum, F. solani, A.solani, A. alternate and M. phaseolina showed more
sensitivity to morigna oil than R. solani and S. rolfsii. Moringa seed extract at 20 and 25 % were the most
effective in decreasing dry growth weight of F. oxysporum , F. solani, A. solani, A. alternate R. solani and S.
rolfsii and M. phaseolina (100%). These finding are in agreement with these reported by many investigators
(Bowers and Locke, 2000 ; Dwivedi and Enespa, 2012; Abdulmoneim et al., 2011; Abandonon et al., 2006;
Chuang et al., 2007) In this respect, Jamil et al. (2008) evaluated antimicrobial activity of Moringa oleifera
against bacterial (Pasturella multocida, Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis and Staphlocuccus aureus) and fungal
(Fusarium solani and Rhizopus solani) strains. The zones of growth inhibition showed greater sensitivity against
the bacterial strains as compared to the fungal strains. Reports have been elucidated on the findings of the
antibiotic principle of M. oleifera seeds through their purification, elucidation, and antimicrobial properties, and
also on the antibiotic substance of the roots of M. oleifera (Jamil et al., 2008; Bowers and Locke, 2000; Dwivedi
and Enespa, 2012).
The findings in this study confirmed that Moringa oleifera oil and seed extract can be used as natural
fungicides to control pathogenic fungi and thus reduce the dependence on the synthetic fungicides

Conclusion:

Chemicals from plants, which retards the reproduction of undesirable microorganisms, would be a more
realistic and ecologically sound method for plant protection and will have a prominent role in the development
of future commercial pesticides for crop protection strategies with special reference to the management of plant
diseases. The results obtained in the present work indicate that Moringa oleifera oil and seed extract had
antifungal activity against seven plant pathogenic fungi tested in the present study in vito. So, it is interested
to state that we can used Moringa oleifera oil and/or extracts as eco-friendly means, environmentally safe, less
risky for developing resistance in pests, and pest resurgence, has less adverse effect on plant growth, less
harmful to seed viability and quality, and above all, less expensive for controlling plant diseases under field.

Referencese

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