Abstract

INSECTICIDAL AND FUNGICIDAL ACTIVITIES OF STEM BARK OF ZANTHOXYLUM ARMATUM (RUTACEAE)

Rakesh Raturi*, P.P. Badoni and Radha Ballabha

ABSTRACT

The aim of the present study was to investigate the insecticidal and fungicidal activities of Zanthoxylum armatum stem bark. The ethanolic extract of Zanthoxylum armatum was tested for its insecticidal activity against mustard aphid Lipaphis erysimi under in vitro condition. The insect mortality percentage was found to be increase with the corresponding increase in dosage indicating a direct relationship between the two. The natural insecticides (ethanolic plant extract) was found very effective and caused 100 % mortality 2.0 mg/L in 24 hrs. Lower concentration (0.5 mg/L) of the extract was also found effective for 59 % mortality in 24 hrs. The extract was also tested for its fungicidal activity against Fusarium oxysporum. The extract showed 10.88 % and 17.55 % growth inhabitation with 2 % and 20 % concentration, respectively. Thus, the present study revealed that the plant extract have a remarkable insecticidal and weak fungicidal activities.

Keywords: Lipaphis erysimi, Fusarium oxysporum, Zanthoxylum armatum, insecticidal and fungicidal activities.