Efficacy of Inula viscosa extracts on seed germination and fungal infection of three varieties of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Abstract

The aim of the present investigation was to look for bioactive substances which may decrease the use of chemical pesticides to control seed borne fungi and thus protect the environment from an excessive chemicalization. In this study three concentrations (500, 1000 and 1500 ppm) of Inula viscosa extracts were tested for their efficacy in controlling seed-borne fungi associated with wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) under laboratory conditions.Obtained results revealed that both extracts (methanolic and aqueous) were active in reducing seed-borne infection in a concentration dependent manner. Seed treatment with 1500ppm of methanolic extract was the most effective, where it caused a highly inhibition of fungal seeds infection (69.25 to 83.86%). The plant extracts tested have also positive and a significant impact on seed germination in comparing with the untreated seed.The easy seed treatment process and the accessibility of the plant used in the present study could lead to high adoption of the use of the plant extracts as seed treatments to prevent bio deterioration of seeds in an ecofriendly way.