Suppression of phytopathogenic fungal growth in culture medium by furfural

 M.A. AL-Hamdany and H.N. AL-Noaimi

Citation: 2000. Derasat, Agricultural Sciences, 27(3): 465-470.

Abstract:                

          Furfural successfully approved its fungicidal activity in growth inhibition and suppression of many phytopathogenic fungi when they were grown on Malt Extract Agar (MEA)  contained certain concentrations of furfural. Results revealed the sensitivity of Pythium debaryanum, where its growth was completely inhibited when 500 ppm  of furfural was added to the culture medium. This level of inhibition was observed on Rhizoctonia solani at 1500 ppm of furfural. However, at these concentrations, the growth of the biocontrol agent Trichoderma harizianum was not affected. Meanwhile, the growth of the other species such as Macrophomina phaseoli, Fusarium moniliforme, and F. avenaceum was remarkedly reduced and delayed with all concentrations used (500-2000 ppm) with complete growth inhibition of the last species at 2000 ppm.  On the other hand, furfural activity was not affected by the autoclaving conditions of culture medium.                                                

Key words: Furfural, Antifungal activity, Phytopathogenic fungi