Antifungal Activity of Allium spp. Root Exudates on Spore Germination of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense

ALDREAN PAUL E. ALOGON, JANIEL LLOYD J. HORLADOR, MATT JOSHUA S. MARTINETE, and HAROLD P. MEDIODIA
Philippine Science High School – Western Visayas Campus, Brgy. Bito-on, Jaro, Iloilo City 5000, Department of Science and Technology – Science Education Institute, Philippines


Abstract
Allium tuberosum root exudate has been proven to be effective against Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense in field through crop-rotation, and subsequently in vitro, however is not economically advantageous in the Philippine market because of low consumer demand. The study done aimed to determine the antifungal effect of various Allium species on Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense Tropical race 4. Root exudates (RE) from Allium species were tested against Foc tropical race 4. Exudates were collected by growing seedlings of each Allium species in 0.05 M CaCl2 solution for 15 days and filtering the solution. Fungal mycelia were inoculated in potato dextrose broth (PDB), placed in a rotary shaker, and filtered and resuspended in PDB, where every 9 mL of the suspension was added 1 mL of treatment. Spore germination ratios in all experimental treatments were significantly lower than that in control distilled water, with Foc spore germination ratios of 54.6%, 54.9%, 58.8%, and 70.9% in chive RE, leek RE, onion RE, and Chinese leek RE, respectively. Thus, the tested Allium species show significant inhibitory effects on spore germination of Foc in the laboratory setting.

Keywords: Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense, Allium, spore inhibition, root exudates, germination ratio