The antifungal activity of Andrographis paniculata and its effects on Oryza sativa germination and growth

Abstract Rice cultivation is severely affected by fungal diseases such as blasts, stunted growth, and Bakanae disease, leading to reduced production and consumption problems. This study aimed to investigate the antifungal properties of Andrographis paniculata crude methanol, hexane, and dichloromethane extracts against Fusarium oxysporum and Fusarium proliferatum . Additionally, the effects of these botanical extracts on seed germination and seedling development Oryza sativa were examined. The antifungal activity was assessed using the agar well diffusion test, minimal inhibitory concentration, and minimal fungicidal concentration. The results revealed that the A. paniculata methanol extract exhibited the highest antifungal activity at 0.5% concentration, with mycelial inhibition percentages of 42.85% and 38.46% against F. oxysporum and F. proliferatum , respectively. The hexane and dichloromethane leaf extracts also showed antifungal properties, with mycelial inhibition percentages of (28.57, 30.76%) and (39.28%, 34.61%) against the two fungi, respectively. Furthermore, A. paniculata extract (0.5%) enhanced the growth of O. sativa infected with F. proliferatum , resulting in a significant increase in plant height (66.7cm) by day 30 compared to other treatments. These findings suggest that A. paniculata extracts can be used as seed treatment for limiting fungal infections in O. sativa and promoting seed germination and seedling growth in O. sativa .