Effects of Botanical Extracts on the Mycelial Growth of Seed-Borne Fungi of The African Yam Bean, Sphenostylis stenocarpa (Hochst ex a. Rich) Harms.

Abstract

The effects of crude ethanolic plant extracts of Garcinia kola seeds and Nauclea latifolia root on mycelial growth of seed-borne fungi of African yam bean at different concentrations (100 mg/ml, 60 mg/ml and 20 mg/ml) were investigated. The seed-borne fungi were Aspergillus flavus, Fusarium moniliforme, Penicillium sp. and Absidia sp. Results showed that all the plant extracts at various concentrations inhibited the mycelial growth of the seed-borne fungi. However, the inhibitory effects of the plant extracts increased with higher concentrations. The percentage inhibition of mycelial growth of fungal isolates by G. kola ranged from 57.9%-100%; 38.8%-72.6%; 31.4%-82.3% and 68.7%-100% for Absidia sp., Penicillium sp., A. flavus and F. moniliforme, respectively. Also, the percentage inhibition of growth of isolates by N. latifolia ranged from 52.3%- 89.4%; 37.1%-62.5%; 37%-93.6% and 49.7%-95.2% for the seed-borne fungi, respectively. G. kola extracts had more inhibitory activities on Absidia sp., Penicillium sp. and F. moniliforme while N. latifolia was more active against A. flavus.

Key Words: Extracts, Inhibition, Seed-borne fungi, African yam bean, Mycelial growth.