Antifungal properties of leaf extract ofRanunculus sceleratus L

Summary Studies on various antifungal properties of the leaf extract ofRanunculus sceleratus L. showed that it was thermostable up to 100°C, retained activity on autoclaving, and remained active up to 15 days at room temperature. It possessed quick fungicidal action, tolerance against heavy fungal inoculum, activity on broad pH range, broad fungicidal spectrum, non-phytotoxicity and non-systemic activity. The extract was lethal at 140 dilution and its volatile vapours were also fungitoxic.Acknowledgment: The authors are thankful to Prof. K.S. Bhargava, Head, Department of Botany, Gorakhpur University, Gorakhpur for providing laboratory facilities.