Antifungal potentials of Azardirachta indica and Ocimum grattissimum leaf extracts in the control of yam rot

Abstract

The effects of dry and fresh leaf extracts of Azardirachta indica and Ocimum grattissimum on the rot of yam tubers were investigated. Fusarium oxysporium, Botryodiplodia theobromae, Rhizopus stolonifer, Penicilluim notatum and Aspergillus niger were isolated from the rotted yams. Both fresh and dry extracts of the leaves had significant effects on the t pathogens. The dry extracts of O.grattissimum were more effective in checking the growth of the pathogens than the fresh extracts in vivo. Both extracts of A. indica had similar effects on the growths of the pathogens. The also controlled the establishment of the diseases in vivo.

Keywords: antifungal, leaf extracts, Azardirachta indica, Ocimum grattissimum, yam rot

International Journal of Natural and Applied Sciences Vol. 1(1) 2005: 81-84