Investigating Phytochemicals to Enhance Soybean Seed Health: A Critical Evaluation of Antifungal Activity, Seed Germination and Vigour
Twinkle *
Department of Plant Pathology, CSK Himachal Pradesh Agricultural University, Palampur, HP-176062, India.
Amar Singh
Department of Plant Pathology, CSK Himachal Pradesh Agricultural University, Palampur, HP-176062, India.
Pardeep Kumar
Department of Plant Pathology, CSK Himachal Pradesh Agricultural University, Palampur, HP-176062, India.
Joginder Pal
Department of Plant Pathology, CSK Himachal Pradesh Agricultural University, Palampur, HP-176062, India.
Sonali Parwan
Department of Plant Pathology, CSK Himachal Pradesh Agricultural University, Palampur, HP-176062, India.
Suhani Sharma
Department of Plant Pathology, CSK Himachal Pradesh Agricultural University, Palampur, HP-176062, India.
Tanish Dhiman
Department of Plant Pathology, CSK Himachal Pradesh Agricultural University, Palampur, HP-176062, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Soybean (Glycine max) is a vital crop globally, providing oil and protein. However, it's susceptible to various fungal pathogens during development, harvest and storage. This study evaluated the antifungal efficacy of aqueous extracts from seven native plants (Eucalyptus sp., Melia azedarach, Lantana camara, Eupatorium adenophorum, Albizia chinensis, Vitex negundo and Ageratum conyzoides) against three seed-borne fungal pathogens (Aspergillus niger, Colletotrichum truncatum and Alternaria alternata). The plant extracts were assessed at concentrations of 10-50% using the poisoned food technique. Eupatorium adenophorum exhibited the highest inhibition (64.97% against A. niger, 51.90% against C. truncatum and 59.72% against A. alternata) at 50% concentration. Lantana camara and Eucalyptus sp. also demonstrated significant antifungal activity. The seed treatment with E. adenophorum also increased seed germination (87.00, 92.67 and 90.00 %), root length (6.86, 7.02 and 6.93 cm), shoot length (1.40, 1.88 and 1.45 cm) and seedling vigour index (719, 825 and 754) against A. niger, C. truncatum and A. alternata, respectively. This study suggests that native plants can serve as potential sources of eco-friendly and effective antifungal agents for managing seed-borne fungal diseases in soybean. The use of plant extracts as an alternative to chemical treatments can promote sustainable agriculture and reduce environmental pollution.
Keywords: Antifungal activity, seed-borne fungi, phytochemical control, seed health, soybean