Effect of Plant Extracts and Acetone Precipitated Proteins from Six Medicinal Plants Against Tobamovirus Infection

The present study was taken up to evaluate the effect of leaf extracts and acetone-precipitated protein of medicinal plants on seed-borne Tobacco Mosaic Virus (TMV) and Tomato Mosaic Virus (ToMV) infection. The antiviral activity was tested on indicator plant Nicotiana glutinosa. Acetone precipitated proteins and solvent extracts of six medicinal plants were tested for their effect on tobamovirus infection. The aqueous leaf extracts of Guava, Phyllanthus and Thuja were effective in reducing the infection by ToMV. The acetone-precipitated fractions of Tridax, Thuja, Guava and Tulsi were effective in reducing the infection by TMV. The solvent extract of Guava was effective in reducing the ToMV infection. Guava extract was subjected to TLC and the fractions were tested for their antiviral activity. Fraction with R sub(F) value of 0.014 proved to be effective in reducing the ToMV infection. The solvent extract of Thuja was effective in reducing TMV infection. TLC fraction of Thuja extract with the R sub(F) value of 0.12 reduced the TMV infection. Along with this, effect of aqueous leaf extracts on seed quality parameters of tomato and bell pepper was studied.