Enhancing growth and suppressing root rot in Phaseolus vulgaris using ginger powder derived natural antifungal agent for optimum disease control and crop health

Chemical fungicides impart pollution, toxicity to non-target organisms and health risks. Utilization of plant derivatives hold potential as a valuable source of bioactive for both disease control and the promotion of plant growth. This study investigated the biological activity of Zingiber officinale (ginger) derived plant extract on Ricinus communis L. (castor), Brassica spp., and Lantana camara L., using different solvents for extraction against major root-roting fungi, Macrophomina phaseolina , Fusarium oxysporum and Aspergillus flavus , using disc diffusion and agar well diffusion methods. At 100% concentration, both fresh and dried ginger extracts displayed total suppression (100%) of M. phaseolina , F. oxysporum , and A. flavus , with no apparent fungal growth. However, there was a little zone of inhibition (< 10%) for both dry, and fresh ginger, against R. solani . In comparison to the disc approach, the agar well method consistently yielded a great zone of inhibition. On the other hand, fungal overgrowth was noted, and no antifungal activity was demonstrated by ethanol-based extracts of Lantana camara, Brassica nigra , and Ricinus communis . When compared to untreated controls, in vivo tests showed that seeds treated with 100% fresh and dried ginger extracts dramatically increased root rot pathogen colonization by over 80% (P < 0.01). A substantial decrease in pathogen colonization was also seen after 100% extracts were soaked into the soil (P < 0.05). When ginger-treated seeds were combined with soil amendments, growth indices, including biomass, shoot length, and root length significantly enhanced. For instance, dry ginger + fudan resulted in 38% increase in shoot length, whereas dry ginger + DAP resulted in a 41% rise in root weight (P < 0.05). When soil amendment with 0.5 fresh ginger powder, the greatest decrease in fungal colonization (up to 95%) was observed. These results demonstrate the potential of ginger extracts, especially at 100% concentration, as efficient, environmentally friendly treatments for Phaseolus vulgaris L. root rot illnesses and enhancing plant development. Further research is recommended to optimize the application methods and explore the underlying mechanisms of ginger extract in promoting plant growth and disease suppression.