ontinuous usage of agrochemicals for the management of fungal diseases of plants has lead to the development of resistance towards the chemicals by fungi and ecosystem is under the treat. Hence biological methods are preferred with some advancements. Ailanthus excelsa which is usually called as tree of heaven is known to possess anti- fungal activity. The bio constituents such as flavonoids and phenols which are present in the leaves of Ailanthus excelsa is known to possess anti- bacterial, anti- fungal properties. The experiment was conducted to study the fungicidal activity of Ailanthus excelsa against powdery mildew of sunflower. For evaluating its activity against powdery mildew spore germination technique was followed for different concentrations of leaf extract of Ailanthus excelsa. Results revealed that maximum inhibition of spore germination of 98.37 per cent was observed in 10 per cent concentration which was on par with 9 per cent concentration of leaf extract of Ailanthus excelsa and the minimum inhibition of spore germination was observed at 1 per cent (28.78%) concentration in case of powdery mildew caused by Golovinomyces cichoracearum. Under field conditions, PDI of 7.41 per cent was observed after second spray of SFE of Ailanthus excelsa whereas, 9 per cent of SFE of Ailanthus excelsa showed 8.15 per cent of PDI which was on par with 10 per cent concentration of SFE of Ailanthus excelsa. At 1 per cent concentration of SFE of Ailanthus excelsa showed 50.71 per cent of PDI after second spray. The yield was higher at 10 per cent concentration of SFE of Ailanthus excelsa i.e, 8.68 q ha-1.

Antifungal activity, Supercritical Fluid Extract, Ailanthus excelsa, Powdery mildew of sunflower

With the increase in concentration of the supercritical fluid extract of Ailanthus excelsa, the inhibition of spore germination of Golovinomyces cichoracearum increased and also the per cent disease index of disease decreased. Also with the increase in concentration, there will not be any phytotoxic effect and yield increases with increase in concentration of supercritical fluid extract of Ailanthus excelsa.

Kavyasri M., Amaresh Y.S., Ashwathanarayana D.S., Raghavendra B.T. and Sharanagoudar Hiregoudar (2022). Evaluation of Antifungal Activity of Supercritical Fluid Extraction of Ailanthus excelsa against Powdery Mildew of Sunflower. Biological Forum – An International Journal, 14(4a): 405-409.