Effects of the aqueous extracts of Zygophyllum fabago on the growth of Fusarium oxyosporum f. sp. melonis and Pythium aphanidermatum

In this study, the effects of aqueous extracts from Zygophyllum fabago L. on two plant phytopathogenic fungal species (namely, Fusarium oxyosporum f. sp. melonis and Pythium aphanidermatum) were studied under laboratory conditions. The plant extracts (10% w/v) were prepared by using deionized water and fresh tissues. Dilutions (2, 4, 6, and 8% w/v) were obtained to test their effect on the mycelial growth of the phytopathogenic species. Additionally, the recovery of the fungi after their exposure to the Z. fabago extract was analyzed. The plant extracts inhibited the growth of F. oxyosporum and P. aphanidermatum (the maximum mean inhibition that was recorded with the 10% w/v extracts was 42.9% and 85.3%, respectively). A second series of experiments demonstrated the existence of residual effects in both species. The amount of residual inhibition by the 10% w/v extracts was 28.6% in F. oxyosporum and 53.8% in P. aphanidermatum. A dose–response was clearly observed in P. aphanidermatum, while an increase in extract concentration was not associated with a significantly greater reduction in the growth of F. oxyosporum. These findings give insights into the potential of Z. fabago as a growth inhibitor of F. oxyosporum and P. aphanidermatum, thus suggesting an interesting potential role for this common weed as a source of natural fungicides.     

Sodium bicarbonate enhances efficacy of Trichoderma harzianum DGA01 in controlling crown rot of banana

The efficacy of Trichoderma harzianum strain DGA01, sodium carbonate (SC), sodium bicarbonate (SBC) and sodium hypochlorite (SH) applied alone or in various combinations was evaluated in vitro against the most important postharvest pathogens of banana such as Lasiodiplodia theobromae, Thielaviopsis paradoxa, Colletotrichum musae, and Fusarium verticillioides. Trichoderma harzianum DGA01 was compatible with salts at a concentration of 1 % (w/v) as manifested by normal mycelial growth. The efficacy of the fungal antagonist in vitro was enhanced by 10.16–13.06 % in controlling mycelial growth of crown rot pathogens with the addition of salts. After a postharvest dip of fruit for 30 min in 10⁶ conidia of DGA01/mL of 1 % SBC, the incidence of crown rot was reduced by 92 %, but DGA01 combined with SC or SH had no additive effect in controlling crown rot. Thus, DGA01 and SBC was the best combination for crown rot control, with an efficacy similar to synthetic fungicides, and maintained the overall quality of banana even at conditions favourable for the pathogens (22–25 °C, 90–95 % relative humidity).     

小麦茎基腐病生防菌株YB-161的分离鉴定及防效测定

为筛选防治小麦茎基腐病的高效生防菌株,采用稀释涂布法从小麦茎基腐病病土中分离细菌,以假禾谷镰孢Fusarium pseudograminearum为靶标菌,通过平板对峙培养法和室内盆栽试验筛选优良菌株并测定其田间防治效果,分析优良菌株发酵滤液对假禾谷镰孢的抑菌能力,并结合形态特征、Biolog微生物自动鉴定系统和gyrA序列分析对其进行种类鉴定,以及测定该菌株的抑菌谱。结果表明,10份供试土样中共分离到98株细菌,对假禾谷镰孢的菌丝生长抑制率超过40.00%的菌株有14株,其中菌株YB-161对假禾谷镰孢的菌丝生长抑制率最高,达63.50%。室内盆栽试验结果显示,菌株YB-161处理小麦的病情指数最低,为31.40,对小麦茎基腐病的防治效果最好,为68.15%,其对小麦也表现出较好的促生作用。田间调查结果显示,菌株YB-161菌液拌种处理对小麦茎基腐病的田间防治效果高于52.35%,并对小麦具有一定的增产作用。菌株YB-161的发酵滤液5倍稀释液和10倍稀释液对假禾谷镰孢的菌落抑制率分别达66.67%和44.33%,该菌株被鉴定为解淀粉芽胞杆菌Bacillus amyloliquefaciens。此外,菌株YB-161对辣椒炭疽病菌Colletotrichum capisci、烟草疫霉病菌Phytophthora parasitica等5种植物病原真菌均有较好的拮抗作用。表明生防菌株YB-161对绿色防控小麦茎基腐病具有良好的开发利用潜能。     

Biocontrol agents in combination with Moringa oleifera extract for integrated control of Sclerotium-caused cowpea damping-off and stem rot

Damping-off and stem rot disease-causing Sclerotium rolfsii has been reported as a destructive soil-borne pathogen of numerous crops, especially in the tropics and subtropics. Trials were conducted to test the efficacy of biocontrol agents alone or combined with Moringa oleifera leaf extracts for the control of the disease. In the laboratory, PDA was amended with Moringa leaf extract, and mycelial growth of S. rolfsii was measured. In the greenhouse and field, Trichoderma Kd 63, Trichoderma IITA 508 and Bacillus subtilis were evaluated as seed treatments, soil drench or sprinkle, separately or combined with Moringa leaf extracts. Percentage disease incidence, severity and control were recorded. In the laboratory, the higher the extract concentration the less the mycelial growth and no mycelial growth occurred on extract at 15 or 20 g leaves 10 ml⁻¹ water. In the greenhouse, the highest disease control was observed at a Moringa extract concentration of 15 kg leaves 10 l⁻¹ water (w/v). Seed treatments using Trichoderma Kd 63, and soil sprinkle using Trichoderma IITA 508 had a significantly (P = 0.05) higher effect on a disease incidence than Bacillus. Disease severity followed the same pattern. Moringa seed treatment combined with Trichoderma soil sprinkle resulted in significantly more than 94% and 70% disease control in the greenhouse and field, respectively, with significant yield increase in the field. This is the first report of Moringa leaf extract combined with Trichoderma as an integrated control for Sclerotium damping-off and stem rot of cowpea in the field.     

Screening for Antifungal Potential of Plant Extracts of Fifteen Plant Species Against Four Pathogenic Fungi Species

The antifungal activity of fifteen wild plant species grown in the Al-Qassim region, Saudi Arabia, was investigated against the fungi species Fusarium solani, Botrytis cinerea, Alternaria alternata and Stemphylium botryosum at concentrations of 10, 20, 40 and 80?g/L. The inhibitory effect of test extracts varied among examined fungi, and Fusarium solani exhibited the least sensitivity compared to other fungi species. Antifungal activity of the tested extracts was proportional to the applied dose. Extracts of Lactuca virosa, Neurada procumbens, Ochradenus baccatus and Cyperus conglomerates showed relatively low inhibition effects on the fungi species. The most effective plants were Pulicaria undulata, Artemisia monosperma, Prosopis juliflora, Withania somnifera and Rumex vesicarius. At 80?g/L, extracts of these plant species reduced mycelial growth of Botrytis cinerea by 16.5–32.2%, of Fusarium solani by 11.1–27.9%, of Alternaria alternaae by 26.9–63.5% and of Stemphylium botryosum by 22–40%. The methanolic extract of the most effective plant species was further fractioned with hexane, methylene chloride and ethyl acetate. The obtained fractions varied in their effects on mycelial growth of the four tested fungi. Using the same fraction resulted in different inhibition effects on mycelial growth of all tested fungi. The antifungal activity of each crude extract tended to be distributed among its three fractions, probably because the bioactive components were also distributed among the fractions.     

Prevalence, species composition, genetic variation and pathogenicity of clover rot (Sclerotinia trifoliorum) and Fusarium spp. in red clover in Finland

The species composition of a total of 173 red clover root fungal isolates from red clover roots from two established organic fields, a field in a transitional phase to organic and from two conventional fields was investigated based on morphology and molecular methods. Fusarium avenaceum was the most common Fusarium species overall but it occurrred less frequently in older organic fields. Gliocladium spp., Trichoderma spp. and Rhizoctonia spp. isolates were more common in the established organic clover fields, which had been under organic management for more than ten years and in one conventional field, than in a field still in the transitional phase. The taxonomical status of certain Fusarium, Alternaria and Sclerotinia isolates difficult to identify by morphological traits alone could be confirmed by species-specific primers and by comparing their ITS (internal transcribed spacer region) sequences to known sequences. The fingerprinting patterns of RAPD-PCR products could be used for the identification of fungal isolates and for studying the genetic variation among the isolates. Only one of the Fusarium isolates originating from apparently healthy red clover roots was clearly pathogenic to germinated red clover seedlings. In detached leaf experiments, the cvs Jokioinen and Ilte were more susceptible to one of the Sclerotinia trifoliorum isolates than cvs Betty and Bjursele, while all of them were equally susceptible to two other S. trifoliorum isolates. In further greenhouse experiments with intact plants it was possible to slow down the development of clover rot to some extent by means of one of the biological agents tested (Bacillus subtilis 10-VIZR, commercial name Alirin B), and almost completely by chemical control.     

短短芽胞杆菌对植物病原真菌的抑菌活性和抑菌机理

为探讨短短芽胞杆菌菌株011对植物病原真菌的防控效果,采用平皿打孔法测定菌株011粗提液对14种植物病原真菌的抑制作用,并以番茄早疫病为研究对象,研究了其抑菌机理。结果显示,菌株011粗提液对14种病原真菌均有抑菌活性,其中对番茄早疫病菌的抑菌活性最强,抑菌率达45.9%;菌株011粗提液能导致番茄早疫病菌菌丝生长异常,抑制孢子萌发;对番茄早疫病菌菌丝生长的EC50为71.4 mg/m L,对孢子萌发的EC50和MIC分别为0.12 mg/m L和0.8 mg/m L;该粗提液能引起番茄早疫病菌菌丝的脂质过氧化程度和细胞内过氧化氢含量上升,菌丝细胞膜的蛋白质合成量下降,当粗提液浓度高于50 mg/m L时,菌丝细胞膜的麦角甾醇合成量下降;该粗提液还能降低番茄早疫病菌胞外果胶酶和纤维素酶的活性。研究表明,菌株011粗提液可作为生防制剂应用于植物病原真菌的防治。     

党参和黄芪水提液对当归根腐病病原菌的抑制作用研究

当归根腐病是当归生产中的重要病害之一,分离纯化后鉴定为尖孢镰刀菌(Fusarium.oxysporum)为了明确中草药党参和黄芪提取液对当归根腐病的抑制作用,分别以两种中药水浸液对小当归根腐病的抑制作用进行测定。结果表明:不同浓度的中草药党参和黄芪提取液对当归根腐病菌丝生长和孢子萌发都有抑制作用,在浓度为0.50 g/mL对当归根腐病菌丝生长的抑制率为25.23%和53.48%,对其孢子萌发抑制率为51.57%和74.56%,且所有处理发生根腐病均比对照低,差异达显著水平。     

紫花苜蓿根际芽胞杆菌YB-2的鉴定及其生防和促生能力分析

为获得对紫花苜蓿Medicago sativa生长有益的生防菌,以尖孢镰刀菌Fusarium oxysporum为指示菌从紫花苜蓿根际土壤中分离筛选拮抗菌株,基于形态学特征、生理生化特性和16S rDNA与gyrB基因序列分析对其进行鉴定,并评价其对紫花苜蓿根腐病的生防效果以及提高寄主植物耐盐碱胁迫的能力。结果表明,从紫花苜蓿根际土壤中筛选到1株对尖孢镰刀菌有较强拮抗作用的菌株YB-2,该菌株对尖孢镰刀菌菌丝生长的抑制率为71.37%;结合形态学特征、生理生化特性和16S rDNA与gyrB基因序列分析结果将菌株YB-2鉴定为枯草芽胞杆菌Bacillus subtilis。菌株YB-2具有溶解无机磷的能力,且具有产氰化氢、羧甲基纤维素酶、1-氨基环丙烷-1-羧酸脱氨酶、吲哚乙酸和嗜铁素的能力,在NaCl含量为1%～9%、pH 7～9条件下均能生长。菌株YB-2对紫花苜蓿根腐病的相对防效达56.83%;在盐碱条件下,与对照相比,接种YB-2的紫花苜蓿株高极显著增加了17.82%,根长显著增加了28.22%,地上部鲜重和地上部干重分别显著增加了51.12%和48.57%。表明菌株YB-2兼...     

Genotypic variation and population structure of Sclerotinia trifoliorum infecting chickpea in California

Sclerotinia trifoliorum, an important pathogen of cool season legumes, displays both homothallism and heterothallism in its life cycle, unique among members of the genus Sclerotinia. Very little is known about its genetic diversity and population structure. A sample of 129 isolates of S. trifoliorum from diseased chickpea in California was investigated for genetic diversity, population differentiation and reproductive mode. Genetic diversity was estimated using mycelial compatibility (MCG) phenotypes, rDNA intron variation, and allelic diversity at seven microsatellite loci. Genetic analysis revealed high levels of genotypic diversity demonstrated by high genotypic richness (0·88). Similarly, high levels of gene diversity (mean expected heterozygosity H_E = 0·68) were observed at the microsatellite loci. Geographic populations of S. trifoliorum were highly admixed as evident from low F_ST values (0–0·11), suggesting high contemporary or historical gene flow. Hierarchical analysis of molecular variance showed that more than 92% of the genetic variation occurred among isolates within populations. Bayesian clustering analysis identified four cryptic genetic populations that were not correlated to geographic location, and index of multilocus association was non‐significant in each of the four genetic populations. However, the presence of identical haplotypes within and among populations indicates clonal reproduction. The high levels of haplotype diversity and population heterogeneity, a lack of correspondence between MCG and microsatellite haplotype, and low levels of population differentiation suggest that populations of S. trifoliorum in chickpea have been undergoing extensive outcrossing and migration events probably shaped by human‐mediated dissemination, the underlying diverse cropping systems, and chickpea disease management practices.     

Effect of potential bioinoculants and organic manures on root‐rot and wilt,growth, yield and quality of organically grown Coleus forskohlii in a semiarid tropical region of Bangalore (India)

Based on earlier results obtained in pot experiments, 2‐year field experiments were conducted with five bioinoculants and neem cake under organic field conditions (with vermicompost as a nutritional supplement) to evaluate their potential to control root‐rot and wilt (a complex problem involving Fusarium chlamydosporum and Ralstonia solanacearum) of the medicinal plant Coleus forskohlii. Plants treated with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus (Glomus fasciculatum), neem cake or Pseudomonas fluorescens showed significantly increased plant height (15–31%), plant spread (25–33%), number of branches (63–67%) and dry root (129–200%) yields, and reduced disease incidence (47–50%) compared to controls. Increases in yields were reflected by increases in N (51–81%), P (17–76%) and K (44–74%) uptake. The forskolin content of the roots was found not to be affected by any of the bioinoculants, but forskolin yield (calculated) was increased significantly by treatment with G. fasciculatum (227%), neem cake (222%) or P. fluorescens (159%).     

Baseline sensitivity of Monilia yunnanensis to the DMI fungicides tebuconazole and triadimefon

Monilia yunnanensis was recently identified as a new species causing brown rot of peach in China. Sterol 14α-demethylase inhibitors (DMIs) continue to be important in the management of brown rot of Monilinia spp. worldwide. Tebuconazole and triadimefon are two kinds of DMI fungicides that may be used for brown rot control in China. To establish the baseline sensitivity of M. yunnanensis to these two DMI fungicides, 203 M. yunnanensis single spore isolates were collected. Measurements of sensitivity to the two fungicides were based on inhibition of mycelial growth. For both fungicides, the sensitivity distribution was a unimodal curve, with an EC₅₀ range (the effective concentration to inhibit mycelial growth by 50 %) of 0.0001–0.0644 μg/ml for tebuconazole and 0.2311–1.7477 μg/ml for triadimefon. The M. yunnanensis isolates were obtained from orchards where DMI fungicides have not been used for peach brown rot control, thus the fungicide sensitivity distribution established in this study can be considered as the baseline for monitoring the resistance development in M. yunnanensis once the DMI fungicides are used to control peach brown rot.     

Control of Microdochium majus in winter wheat with botanicals – from laboratory to the field

The fungal pathogen Microdochium majus, causing snow mould, seedling blight and foot rot, results in severe yield losses in small grain cereals. There are few options to control this pathogen in organic production. In this study, aqueous extracts or botanical powders prepared from chamomile, meadowsweet, thyme and Chinese galls were tested in vitro against M. majus conidia germination and mycelial growth, respectively. Subsequently, three botanicals were chosen, applied as powders with different seed coating adhesives, and tested for their effect on the incidence of M. majus from naturally infected wheat seed lots and on seedling emergence from soil under controlled environmental conditions. Furthermore, seed treatments with warm water, a bacterial product or one chosen botanical were tested in a growth chamber and in a field experiment over three consecutive years. Of the botanicals tested, Chinese galls showed the highest efficacy in controlling M. majus, reducing conidia germination and mycelial growth by up to 97 and 100%, respectively, and reducing the incidence from infested seeds by up to 59%. In two growth chamber experiments, total seedling emergence increased by up to 30 and 59% compared with the control treatments following an application with Chinese galls. Under field conditions, yield increase through Chinese galls, the bacterial product and the warm water treatment was 19, 10 and 37% compared with the untreated control, respectively. This study demonstrates the potential of Chinese galls to control M. majus in wheat. Options for improved formulations or combinations of heat‐based treatments with Chinese galls are discussed.     

海洋生境贝莱斯芽孢杆菌TCS001的鉴定及抑真菌活性

为研究海洋生境芽孢杆菌TCS001的分类地位和抑菌活性,通过形态和生理生化特征观察,并结合gyrA序列同源性分析对菌株进行了鉴定;通过平板对峙培养法测定了菌株TCS001对多种植物病原真菌的抑菌谱;采用菌丝生长速率法和凹玻片法,测定了不同浓度TCS001菌株发酵滤液对靶标菌黄瓜灰霉病菌Botrytis cinerea菌丝生长和孢子萌发的影响。结果显示:该菌株为贝莱斯芽孢杆菌Bacillus velezensis,其对6种供试病原菌均有一定的抑制效果,其中对黄瓜灰霉病菌的抑制率最高,达87.66%。不同稀释倍数下,TCS001发酵滤液对黄瓜灰霉病菌均有一定的抑制作用,其中,稀释5倍时对菌丝生长和孢子萌发的抑制率最高,分别为96.24%和98.05%,稀释20倍时抑制率也均达90%以上。形态学观察发现,TCS001发酵滤液可导致黄瓜灰霉病菌孢子萌发芽管中间或顶端膨大畸形。研究表明,海洋生境贝莱斯芽孢杆菌TCS001极具开发为微生物农药的潜能。     

Evaluation of organic amendments from agro‐industry waste for the control of verticillium wilt of olive

Biological control of plant diseases using soil amendments such as animal manure and composted materials can minimize organic waste and has been proposed as an effective strategy in crop protection. In this study, 35 organic amendments (OAs) and 16 compost mixtures were evaluated against Verticillium dahliae by assessing both the antagonistic effect on the mycelial growth of two representative isolates of V. dahliae and the effect on the reduction of microsclerotia viability of the pathogen in naturally infested soil. Eleven OAs and five compost mixtures showed a consistent inhibition effect in in vitro sensitivity tests, with solid olive‐oil waste compost one of the most effective. Therefore, a bioassay with olive plants was conducted to evaluate the suppressive effect against V. dahliae of these selected OAs and compost mixtures. Significant reduction in the severity of the symptoms of V. dahliae indicates the potential use of grape marc compost (100% disease severity reduction) and solid olive‐oil waste, combined with other OAs. Microorganism mixtures and dairy waste OAs had a potential suppressive effect when they were combined with compost, showing a 73% and 63% disease severity reduction, respectively. A mixture of agro‐industrial waste with other biological control agents is a promising strategy against verticillium wilt of olive. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report on the effectiveness of compost extracts (compost teas) on the inhibition of natural microsclerotia of V. dahliae, and also on verticillium wilt suppression in olive with solid olive‐oil waste.     

Herbicides for Nutgrass Control - Conclusions from Ten Years of Testing at Oxford

The present study aimed to evaluate some plant extracts from Plectranthus tenuiflorus, Azadirachta indica, Clerodendrum inerme, Schinus terebinthifolius and Mirabilis jalapa as antiviral materials against Bean common mosaic virus (BCMV) in bean plants. The results showed that all the tested plant extracts were effective in reducing the number of local lesions formed by BCMV. The mixing of P. tenuiflorus extracts with BCMV inoculum achieved the highest reduction in BCMV infection (92%), while the mixing of S. terebinthifolius extracts with BCMV inoculum recorded the lowest reduction in BCMV infection (68%). Seed treatment with 1% (w/v) of P. tenuiflorus showed the highest reduction in disease incidence (93% and 85%) under greenhouse and field conditions, respectively. Spray treatments of P. tenuiflorus and M. jalapa reduced disease incidence to 12% and 17% under greenhouse conditions, whereas under field conditions they reduced disease incidence to 17% and 23%, respectively. Protein analysis revealed different effects of the tested treatments on bean plants indicating different gene(s) expression. This study suggests the possibility of using plant extracts for controlling BCMV infection.     

Biological control of sclerotinia stem rot of canola using antagonistic bacteria

Stem rot caused by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum is a major fungal disease of canola worldwide. In Australia the management of stem rot relies primarily on strategic application of synthetic fungicides. In an attempt to find alternative strategies for the management of the disease, 514 naturally occurring bacterial isolates were screened for antagonism to S. sclerotiorum. Antifungal activity against mycelial growth of the fungus was exhibited by three isolates of bacteria. The bacteria were identified as Bacillus cereus (SC‐1 and P‐1) and Bacillus subtilis (W‐67) via 16S rRNA sequencing. In vitro antagonism assays using these isolates resulted in significant inhibition of mycelial elongation and complete inhibition of sclerotial germination by both non‐volatile and volatile metabolites. The antagonistic strains caused a significant reduction in the viability of sclerotia when tested in a greenhouse pot trial with soil collected from the field. Spray treatments of bacterial strains reduced disease incidence and yielded higher control efficacy both on inoculated cotyledons and stems. Application of SC‐1 and W‐67 in the field at 10% flowering stage (growth stage 4·00) of canola demonstrated that control efficacy of SC‐1 was significantly higher in all three trials (over 2 years) when sprayed twice at 7‐day intervals. The greatest control of disease was observed with the fungicide Prosaro^® 420SC or with two applications of SC‐1. The results demonstrated that, in the light of environmental concerns and increasing cost of fungicides, B. cereus SC‐1 may have potential as a biological control agent of sclerotinia stem rot of canola in Australia.     

Biological control of red rot in sugarcane by native pyoluteorin‐producing Pseudomonas putida strain NH‐50 under field conditions and its potential modes of action

BACKGROUND: Rhizobacteria have a good potential to suppress soilborne diseases, but their efficacy against sugarcane pests is rarely reported. Bacterial strains isolated from the rhizosphere of sugarcane were evaluated for their potential to suppress red rot disease on two susceptible varieties, Co‐1148 and SPF‐234, under field conditions. The strains were also characterised for the production of secondary metabolites associated with their antagonistic activity. RESULTS: One out of four strains, the Pseudomonas putida strain NH‐50 (EU627168), reduced disease severity by 44–60% in different field trials. This potent antagonistic strain produced pyoluteorin antibiotic, as confirmed by high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The PltB gene involved in pyoluteorin synthesis was amplified from the P. putida strain NH‐50 and sequenced. The extracellular metabolites and volatile and diffusible antibiotics secreted by the tested strains inhibited mycelial growth of Glomerella tucumensis (Speg.) Arx & E Mull in vitro by 7–55%. CONCLUSION: The pyoluteorin‐producing bacteria P. putida strain NH‐50 significantly reduced disease severity on both sugarcane varieties, irrespective of fungal inoculation, i.e. either inoculated through stem or through soil. This strain also possesses other plant growth characteristics and can be used as a biopesticide for sugarcane crop. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

Fungicidal activity of Thai medicinal plant extracts against <Emphasis Type="Italic">Alternaria brassicicola</Emphasis> causing black spot of Chinese kale

Crude ethanol extracts and six organic solvent fractions of 10 Thai medicinal plants were evaluated for their antifungal activity against Alternaria brassicicola in laboratory and under greenhouse conditions. The results showed that the ethanol extracts of Coscinium fenestratum, Piper betle, Syzygium aromaticus and Zingiber cassumunar displayed complete mycelial growth inhibition of A. brassicicola at a concentration of 0.1%. Meanwhile, the crude ethanol extract and methanol fraction obtained from the stems of C. fenestratum revealed the greatest inhibition against A. brassicicola at 10%, forming inhibition zones 2.55–2.58 cm in diameter. In the greenhouse experiments, crude ethanol extracts of C. fenestratum and P. betle at 1% significantly (P?<?0.05) reduced the disease incidence at up to 67%, indicating promising preventive and curative activities against A. brassicicola. This activity is similar to that of iprodione, a widely used commercial fungicide. Interestingly, Illicium verum extract showed a greater curative effect (58% disease reduction) than protective effect (47% disease reduction). Because the C. fenestratum extract showed the highest activity against the black spot pathogen both in vitro and under greenhouse conditions, its methanol fraction was further analyzed by spectroscopic techniques. We found that berberine is a key active substance inhibiting mycelial growth of A. brassicicola. The results of this study showed the potential of Thai medicinal plants as alternatives to the use of synthetic fungicides for controlling black spot in Chinese kale caused by A. brassicicola.