Assessment of Antifungal Activity of Some Native Plant Extracts of North of Iran on Penicillium digitatum

Penicillium digitatum, the causal agent of citrus green mold, is one of the most important pathogens among citrus fruit rot agents. Unfortunately, the continuous application of chemical pesticides have serious effects on human health and environment. As well as development of resistance is a latest against their resistance to chemical pesticide. Today, research on bio-pesticides using microbial antagonists and natural plant products has become more important as viable alternatives to control postharvest diseases. In this research, some wide spread endemic plant spears were collected from North of Iran and their potential as natural bio-pesticide were evaluated. Metabolic extracts of these plants were tested on PDA medium in vitro and on citrus fruits in vivo for their efficacy to control P. digitatum when applied as disc diffusion method and soaking in plant extract suspension respectively. Results showed some plant extract produce inhibition zone around paper disc In vitro test, but in vivo test, only extract of Phytolacca americana has significant effect and inhibited spore production by Penicillium sp. Eleven Components were identified from Pytolea American extranets using eleven Chromatography by Hexane, Diethyl ether and Methanol solvents, an non-polar, semi-polar and polar solvent, respectively. And purified using thin layer Chromatography (TLC). The antifungal effects of each 11 components on P. digitatum showed only component were extracted with methanol polar solvent have the most antifungal properties.