In Vitro Antifungal Potential of Barkleyanthus salicifolius and Punica granatum Extracts Against Crop-Associated Pathogens

The potential of methanolic extracts from jara (Barkleyanthus salicifolius) and pomegranate carpel membranes (Punica granatum) as biological alternatives for the control of phytopathogenic fungi was evaluated against pathogens associated with commercially important crops in the Ciénega de Chapala region. Extracts were assessed in vitro against Botrytis cinerea and Rhizoctonia solani (strawberry), Curvularia sp., Pestalotiopsis sp., and Fusarium oxysporum (blackberry), Pythium sp. and Fusarium sp. (tomato), and Sclerotium rolfsii (onion). Antifungal bioassays demonstrated that the B. salicifolius extract inhibited the mycelial growth of R. solani, whereas the pomegranate extract inhibited seven of the eight species tested, with the exception of S. rolfsii. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavones, flavonols, chalcones, and quinones in pomegranate, and flavones, flavonols, alkaloids, and sterols in jara. Additionally, phytol and caryophyllene were identified in the latter via GC–MS.