Abstract:
The fungi toxicity of some carbonic acid salts on the fungus C. musae verified in
vitro by means of mycelial growth inhibition. Sodium carbonate, Sodium
bicarbonate, Potassium carbonate and Ammonium carbonate were prepared in 0.1,
0.5, 1, 2, 5 and 10 percent concentrations and assayed the percentage inhibition of
radial mycelial growth of C. musae. Separate experiments for each chemical were
designed in a completely randomized design (CRD) with five replicates. Antifungal
activity was confirmed in all carbonic acid salts, but not in all concentrations. The
growth of the C. musae on in vitro cultures was significantly reduced with the
application of Na2C 03 at 0,5%, (NH^CCb at 0.5%, NaHC03 at 1% and K2C 03 at
10%. Based on these results, 0.5% and 1% of Na2C 03, 1% and 2% of NaHC03 5%
and 10% of K2C 03 and 0.5% and 0.1% (NH4)2C 03 were selected for further
investigation to test the best carbonic acid and its effectiveness for the inhibition of
C. musae. The carbonic acid salt, K2CQ3, of 5% and 10% concentrations performed
best of all the carbonic acid tested. Although, 0.5% and 1% Na2C 03, 1% NaHC03i
and 1% of (NH4)2C 03 rated as the second best, these chemicals could be considered
more effective since they are active even in low concentrations to inhibit the
pathogen compared to K2C 03.
