In vitro evaluation of aqueous leaf and peel extracts of Musa species for low-input management of fungal leaf spots of sweet potato (Ipomea batatas Linn.)

Sweet potatoes are important food staples in tropical sub-Saharan Africa. Orange flesh sweet potato (OFSP) varieties especially for combating vitamin A deficiencies and nutrition-induced blindness. Fungal leaf spots one of the many challenges constraining its production Umudike, Southeast, Nigeria. The aims this experiment were to isolate causal fungi OFSP attempt their control using aqueous extracts banana peels, plantain peels vitro. Mycotic agents isolated from infected plant Verticillium longisporum, Rhizoctonia solani, Penicillium chrysogenum Aspergillus niger. Pathogenicity test conducted on organisms revealed that first three pecies actively pathogenic, with showing irregular brown spots/blights surrounded by chlorotic hallo around veins margins laminae; while A. niger showed weak infection plant. In laboratory, four concentrations (10%, 25%, 50% 75%) ripe unripe senescent new leaves, griseovid® (a standard antifungal) (sterile water) evaluated vitro inhibition mycelial elongation myco-pathogens associated spot disease crop. was laid out as 3 x 4 8 factorial CRD replications. botanicals significantly (P≤0.05) differentially retarded radial growth fungus over a dose-dependent manner. However, fungitoxicity inferior but compared favourably antifungal griseofulvin (griseovid®). Exploiting potency these readily available, cost effective eco-friendly agro-wastes against fungal pathogens causing blight will not only reduce hazards pollution use synthetic pesticides also increase developing countries where fungicides expensive reach low-input farmers.