Management of \u3cem\u3eSclerotium rolfssi\u3c/em\u3e through Methanolic Leaf Extract of \u3cem\u3eAlstonia scholaris\u3c/em\u3e (L.) R. Br. and \u3cem\u3eAzadirachta indica\u3c/em\u3e L.

Sclerotium rolfsii is a polyphagous soil borne fungus infecting more than 500 plant species across the world that is causing vast losses. Although the fungus is soil and seed borne, soil borne inoculum is most vital in infection-causing and syndrome development. Treating soil borne pathogens with fungicides is not reasonable due to very high costs. Environmental hazards are also involved. Therefore, integrated management of pathogens using biological controlling agents is the paramount alternative. Extracts of higher plants have demonstrated a wide range of activity against plant pathogenic organisms. The present research work was carried out to manage the pathogen and disease in vitro by using plant extracts. The antifungal activity of the methanolic leaf extract of two medicinally important indigenous plants, Alstonia scholaris and Azadirachta indica, against the fungal pathogen S. rolfsii was evaluated. In vitro antifungal bioassay was conducted against the S. rolfsii using different concentrations (0, 1, 2 and 5) of the methanolic leaf extract of A. scholaris and A. indica using malt extract (ME) broth as a culture medium. Different concentrations of A. indica leaf extract appreciably reduced the fungal biomass growth up to 76% as compared to the control. In the same manner, various concentrations of the leaf extract of A. scholaris significantly decreased fungal biomass up to 70% as compared to the control. Higher fungal growth was reduced by a 2% concentration of both plants. The present study concludes that the methanolic extract of A. indica has more active antifungal components and can be effectively used to manage phyto-pathogens

A Survey of Weed Varieties in Samanabad, Lahore

A weed is an herbaceous plant that grows as a wild plant, and is considered a hindrance in the growth of preferred vegetation or cumbering the ground, and has no value for beauty or use. However, some weeds have roles in medicine, ecology and many other fields. A survey was conducted in Lahore to observe the weed varieties present in the area of Samanabad. The present study was carried out in May and June 2014.The primary purpose of the study was to gain knowledge about the availability of the total number of species present in this area. We also assessed whether these weeds were directly or indirectly beneficial for humans. Results of this study revealed a total of 33 species belonging to 20 different families which were collected and identified. Weeds were arranged in alphabetical order according to their respective families. Data inventory constitutes family name, botanical name, local name and life form. Results revealed the relative diversity of each family as Poaceae at 18.18% and Asteraceae at 15.15%. Out of 33 weed species, 64% were annual, 30% perennial and 6% biennial. The soil of the studied area was a hard, silty loam texture, with a slightly alkaline pH and low electrical conductivity. This study will be helpful in maintaining the flora of the Samanabad region