GC-MS ANALYSIS OF Sonchus asper ROOT EXTRACT FOR IDENTIFICATION OF fungicidal compounds against Rhizoctonia solani

Black scurf disease caused by Rhizoctonia solani, often refractory and with large number of persistent sclerotia, cause a heavy burden on the potato crop, while the current conventional practices against diseases are limited and are associated with toxicity and resistance. Botanical fungicides have shown enormous antifungal potential against many sclerotial forming phytopathogens. In the present study, methanolic root extract of Sonchus asper was assessed for their anti-fungal activity against R. solani. The methanolic extract was prepared by soaking dried root biomass in methanol and analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, respectively. Antifungal potential of the extract was detected in test tubes filled with broth in triplicate. The results revealed fungal biomass was significantly reduced (52–97%) with increase in concentrations of the extract (1.56–200 mg mL-1). GCMS analysis revealed that benzoic acid derivatives and isotretinoin as important compounds responsible for the antifungal activity. Hence, methanolic root extract might be a potential library for fungicide development against R. solani.