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In vitro biological control of four fungi responsible for leaf diseases of yam (Dioscorea spp) in Côte d'Ivoire
Abstract
Yam (Dioscorea spp) is a major food crop in many parts of the world, particularly in West Africa. In Côte d'Ivoire, yam occupies the first place in terms of food crops. However, this crop is faced with enormous parasitic constraints including leaf diseases. Anthracnose is the most frequent fungal disease in Côte d'Ivoire and has a formidable impact on yam production as it causes yield losses that can reach more than 90%. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of three biofungicides (NECO, ASTOUN, FERCA) and a synthetic fungicide (REFERENCE) on the mycelial growth of Colletotrichum sp, Pestalotia sp, Botryodiplodia sp and Curvularia sp, four fungi responsible for yam anthracnose. It revealed that the biofungicides NECO and ASTOUN were the most effective on the in vitro mycelial growth of Colletotrichum sp with respective inhibition rates of 92.67 and 97.06% at the 2000 ppm dose. The synthetic fungicide REFERENCE and the biofungicide ASTOUN were more fungitoxic on the fungus Pestalotia sp by reducing its growth to 100% at 100 ppm and 1000 ppm respectively. FERCA biofungicide was the least effective on mycelial growth of the pathogens. These fungicides may provide a basis for field control of anthracnose of yam in Côte d'Ivoire.