Changes in Botrytis cinerea Conidia Caused by Berberis vulgaris Extract

Abstract

Testing plant extracts for controlling fungal diseases is a main biocontrol method. More interesting is to see what happens to the fungus treated with the plant extract. Therefore, the aim of the study was to evaluate the antifungal activity of Berberis vulgaris extract on Botrytis cinerea and to examine the ultrastructural changes in B. cinerea conidia caused by the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), using SEM and TEM. The antifungal activity of B. vulgaris bark extract was investigated using agar dilution method, and compared to that of berberine. Fluconazole was used as the positive antimycotic control. It was found that (1) B. vulgaris bark extract had significant antifungal activity against B. cinerea, and its effect was stronger than that of pure berberine. It was also noted that (2)B. vulgaris MIC caused severe structural changes of the conidia, comparable with berberine MIC effect; therefore (3) B. vulgaris bark extract might be recommended to be tested as a biocontrol agent against B. cinerea.