Study of Antifungal Activity of Silbum marianum Extracts Against Some Species of Imperfect Fungi

Abstract

     This research was conducted to determine the effect of different concentrations of (milkthistle) Silbum marianum   leaves extracts on some plant pathogenic fungi included:      Fusarium oxysporum, Alternaria sp., and Botrytis cinerea.            Results showed the high antifungal activity of milk thistle leaves extract; this was evident at high concentration of extract (80) mg\ml, which completely inhibited the radial growth on solid media (PDA) for pathogens Fusarium oxysporum and Botrytis cinerea. While the spores of pathogen Alternaria sp. was able to  grow in all concentration which used in this study.          The extract had toxic effect on the eggplant seeds germination when treated with 5 ml of crude extract, the germination percentage reached 33% compared to 89% in control treatment.