Hycenth Nahunnaro
Modibbo Adama University of Technology, Nigeria
Title: Evaluation of neem seed and ginger rhizome extracts in control of postharvest tuber rot fungi of Irish potato in Yola
Biography
Biography: Hycenth Nahunnaro
Abstract
This Laboratory study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of two plant extracts (neem Azadirachta indica seeds and ginger-Zingiber officinale rhizomes) on postharvest tuber rot fungi of Irish potato in Yola, Adamawa State. Four fungal species associated with Irish potato tuber rot were isolated and identified in the study, namely; Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus, Fusarium oxysporum and Penicillium spp. On which three different concentrations of the plant extracts were used (20%, 30% and 40%). Based on frequency of occurrence, it was found that Aspergillus niger had the highest frequency, followed by Aspergillus flavus and Fusarium oxysporum, while Penicillium spp. Had the least occurrence. The results obtained revealed that growth inhibition of the rot causing organisms varied with extract type, extract concentrations and the fungal pathogen. At 20% concentration, neem extract proved more effective in inhibiting the growth of Aspergillus flavus (48%) and Fusarium oxysporum (32.3%), while the growth of Penicillium spp. Had 76.7% inhibition. At 40% concentration, the mycelia growth of Penicillium spp. Was inhibited (46.7), and the mycelia growth of both Aspergillus flavus and Fusarium oxysporum were 76% and 51.6% respectively. For Zingiber officinale extract, the mycelia growth of all the isolates were inhibited at the highest concentration (40%), Aspergillus flavus (40%), Fusarium oxysporum (11.1%) and Penicillium spp. (43.3). From these results, it is clear that neem seed extracts could serve as an alternative to the use of synthetic chemicals in controlling post-harvest tuber rot fungi of Irish potato.