ANTIFUNGAL ACTIVITY OF Liquidambar orientalis L., and Myrtus communis L. AGAINST SOME PLANT PATHOGENIC FUNGI

As a result of the negative effects of pesticides used in the agricultural field, studies to find alternative methods have to be developed. In this study, Liquidambar orientalis L. (leaf and resin) and Myrtus communis L. (leaf) of methanol extracts of antifungal activities were determined against plant pathogens such as Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici (FOL) (Sacc.) W. C. Snyder and H. N. Hans, Alternaria solani (Ell. and G. Martin), Botrytis cinereapers.: Fr, Rhizoctonia solani Kuhn, and Sclerotinia sclerotiorum Lib De Bary which are caused intensive yield loss on tomatoes, strawberries, potatoes and cucumbers both in Turkey and in the world, In order to examine the used plant extracts, percentages of mycelium inhibition (MGI) values were calculated to compare with the positive control (80% Thiram), which is a standard fungicide. Also, the antifungal activities of plant extracts were evaluated statistically. 50 mg, 100 mg, 200 mg and 400 mg/mL of plant extract doses were used. L. orientalis and M. communis were shown distinguished antifungal activity. Plant extract of M. communis showed a strong antifungal effect against the tested fungi when compared with L. orientalis. As a result, nowadays the natural bio-pesticides used are cheap and eco-friendly; therefore they have potential in the control against plant pathogens.