Different fruit peel extracts of Punica granatum were tested in vitro for their insecticidal and antifungal activities against two pests (Myzus persicae and Phthorimaea operculella) and four fungi (Botrytis cinerea, Fusarium sambucinum, Penicillium digitatum and Aspergillus niger). In fact, significant mortalities were recorded on adults treated with aqueous, ethanol and methanol extracts with mortalities of 29%, 53% and 55%, respectively. For potato tuber moth, similar effects were observed on the first larval penetration of Phthorimaea operculella into potato tubers and the number of eggs. Additionally, all extracts tested were found to be effective in checking the mycelial growth only for Penicillium digitatum and Fusarium sambucinum as compared to the control. But no significant difference between control and treated fungi was found in the case of Botrytis cinerea and Aspergillus niger. The treatment with these botanical extracts may be promising in protecting plants from pests and diseases infections.
