ANTI-FUNGAL ACTIVITIES OF AQUEOUS LEAF EXTRACTS OF MORINGA OLEIFERA LAM. ON MANGIFERA INDICA L. POSTHARVEST FRUIT-ROT PATHOGENS FROM SOME MARKETS IN YOLA NORTH, ADAMAWA STATE

Abstract

Studies on the anti-fungal effect of Moringa oleifera Lam leaf extract were determined on causative agents of mango post-harvest fruit rot. A total of seventy two (72) samples belonging to two different varieties (‘Bush’ and kent) were collected from three different Markets in Yola North of Adamawa State. Different concentration of drum stick leaf extract (20, 40 and 60%) was used. The treatments were laid out in a completely randomized design (CRD) with three replications. Botrytis cinera, Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus niger were isolated and identified to be responsible for the mango rots. Percentage disease incidence in the markets shows that Jimeta Modern Market had the highest percentage incidence with 36.82% and the least incidence recorded was in Jimeta Old Market with 27.93%. All concentrations of the tested leaf extract of Moringa oleifera significantly (P < 0.05) suppressed mycelial growth of the fungi in-vitro and fungal rots invivo. The effect was proportional to the concentration of the leaf extract and suppression was highest at 60% and lowest at 20% concentration. The study revealed that leaf extract of Moringa oleifera proved to be effective in the control of post-harvest rots of mango and serves as a good option to synthetic agro-chemicals which are not eco-friendly and biologically safe. Phytochemical study revealed that alkaloids, flavonoids, steroid, phenols, tannins, saponin and glycosides were present in aqueous leaf extracts of Mangifera indica while anthraquinine and reducing sugar were absent.