COMPARATIVE ANTIFUNGAL EFFICACY OF TWO SELECTED INDIGENOUS PLANT EXTRACTS AGAINST POSTHARVEST COCOYAM PATHOGENS IN MAJOR MARKETS IN ANAMBRA STATE.

Abstract

This research evaluated the comparative antifungal efficacy of selected indigenous plant extracts against postharvest fungal pathogens associated with cocoyam tuber spoilage in major markets in Anambra State. Plants selected for this research includes Vernonia amygdalina and Hyptis suaveolens leaves. The aim of this study is to establish the usage of indigenous plant extracts to control pathogenic fungi distroying farm produce . Cocoyam tuber were collected from different markets in Anambra State. Standard Association of Official Analytical Chemists methods (AOAC) were employed for fungal isolation, while in vitro antifungal assays were conducted using graded extract concentrations. Five spoilage fungi were consistently isolated and identified: Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus Niger, Fusarium solani, Rhizopus stolonifer, and Penicillium expansum. Tabulated results of Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of some bioactive compound in the so tested plant extracts in varying concentrations. In vitro assays demonstrated significant antifungal effects (p < 0.05), with inhibition zones increasing with extract concentration (100% > 50% > 25%). V. amygdalina exhibited higher inhibitory activity against most isolates than that of H. suaveolens . The results confirm that ethanol extracts of these plants possess potent antifungal properties and can serve as eco-friendly alternatives or supplements to synthetic fungicides.