Effect of Plant Extracts on Bacteria Fruit Blotch of Watermelon Pathogen (Acidovorax citrulli)

Abstract

Bacterial fruit blotch (BFB) is a significant seed-transmitted disease caused by the gram-negative bacterium Acidovorax citrulli. This study aimed to determine the effectivenessofplant extracts on Acidovorax citrulli in nine (9) different communities in three (3) local
governments of Taraba State. Watermelon seeds were allowed to germinate and dividedintosix (6) groups. These groups were treated with various plant extracts, including garlicoil, Jatropha + garlic oil, Jatropha + Neem oil, Neem oil + garlic oil, and Neemoil, as well asacontrol group, for fourteen (14) weeks. In 2021, farms treated with neemoil (7.06%) showedhigh performance, followed by those treated with Jatropha + neem oil (12.00%), comparedtothe control group (80.56%) in Ardo Kola. In Tella, farms treated with neemoil (7.92%) andJatropha + neem oil (13.12%) showed reduced severity. In Wukari, neemoil and Jatropha+neem oil treated farms performed well at 31.96% and 34.68%, respectively, comparedtothecontrol at 44.22%. Similar results were observed in the previous year, 2020. The plant extracts suppress the growth of Acidovorax citrulli on the watermelon, thereby increasingtheyield of the watermelon. The extracts can be used in the treatment or prevention of Bacteriafruit blotch pathogen (Acidovorax citrulli).