Assessment of White Yam Tuber Rot Disease and in vitro Management of Aspergillus niger in Ebonyi State, Nigeria

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Research Paper 01/10/2021
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Assessment of White Yam Tuber Rot Disease and in vitro Management of Aspergillus niger in Ebonyi State, Nigeria

E.M. Ndifon, A.F. Lum
Int. J. Biosci.19( 4), 32-40, October 2021.
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Abstract

White yam (Dioscorea rotundata Poir) is an important tuber crop cultivated for consumption and income generation in Nigeria. Its production is severely affected by the rot disease, which causes a reduction in tuber yield. A study was carried out in Abakiliki and Ikwo Local Government Areas of Ebonyi State to assess the level of infection of tubers in the major markets; the pathogenicity of the isolates on tubers in vivo; the effect of aqueous extracts of five plants (leaves of Eucalyptus globulus, Melaleuca cajuputi, Andrographis paniculata and Azadirachta indica, and shoots of Euphorbia hirta) at 50 and 100% concentrations, the synthetic fungicides Mancozeb® and Tandem® (at the half and full recommended rates) for management of Aspergillus niger in vitro. A negative control without the fungicide or plant extract was included. The mean percentage of infection of tubers in the markets was 13.5%. All the pathogens isolated were fungi (Fusarium anthophilum, Rhizopus stolonifer, Aspergillus niger, A. fumigatus, A. flavius, Pythium ultimum, Mucor sp., and Penicillum oxalicum). Aspergillus niger had the highest frequency (21.4%). All plant extracts inhibited the growth of A. niger significantly compared to the negative control and the level was higher at 100% concentration than at 50%. The synthetic fungicides gave higher inhibition of the fungus than the plant extracts; the level of inhibition was more with Mancozeb® than with Tandem®. In conclusion, the aqueous extracts of all the plants, especially 100% E. globulus, showed promising activity against A. niger, a major pathogen that causes yam tuber rot disease.

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