Biochemical Alterations In Colletotrichum lindemuthianum Infected Pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo) Leaf.

Abstract

A leaf spot disease of pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo) was observed in farms in the 2004 cropping season in Cross River State, Nigeria. Isolation, identification and pathogenicity trials carried out on the causative agent, implicated the fungus Colletotrichum lindemuthianum. Analysis carried out, revealed that apart from fat (0%), there were alterations in other biochemical contents of the infected host plant. There was 8.84% increase in moisture content of the infected sample, 8.45% increase in protein, and 47.06% increase in ash content over the healthy sample. Reductions in fibre (-6.74%) and carbohydrate (-8.12%) contents were recorded for the diseased host leaves. From the results, it is recommended that control measures be applied by late March or early April before early rains. Environmentally friendly approach like medicinal plants extracts application is very highly recommended. Data collection and analysis was carried out at 1 month post inoculation (1
MPI).