Screening and Identification of Fungicidal Compounds Derived from Medicinal Plants against Cucumber Powdery Mildew

This experiment was conducted to test the fungicidal activity of extracts from 50 medicinal plants to powdery mildew (Sphaerotheca fulinginea) and identify the bioactive substances. Among the medicinal plants tested, the water extract of Rheum undulatum was the most effective in spore germination inhibition, which inhibited by 100% at 200-fold dilution. Also, 50-fold dilution of water extract, 100-fold dilution of alcohol extract, 500-fold dilution of crude extract from Rheum undulatum and even 1000-fold dilution of reference chemical inhibited powdery mildew of cucumber more than 60%. 500-fold dilution of crude extract inhibited powdery mildew of cucumber 100% by twice spray treatment. There was phytotoxcity at the 100-fold dilution, but was not recognized this injury at the 500-fold dilution of crude extract. From our research to identify bioactive substance using HPLC, GLC and Mass spectrum analysis, it indicated that Rheum undulatum extract contained tentatively 1,8-dihydroxy-3-methyl-9,10-anthracenedione and 1,8-dihydroxy-3-methoxy-6-methyl-9,10-anthracenedione.