<i> In Vitro</i> Control of Tomato (<i>Solanum lycopersicon</i> L.) Fruit Rot Caused by Fungi Using Two Plant Extracts

Abstract

Abstract. The inhibitory properties of the ethanolic and methanolic leaf extracts of Vernonia amygdalina and Cola acuminata on the fungal pathogens isolated from infected tomato fruits were investigated. The pathogens were Fusarium moniliformes and Rhizopus stolonifer. Various concentrations of the extracts ranging from 10,20,30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90 and 100% were separately added to PDA media. The fungal pathogens were separately inoculated into the media and incubated for seven days. Antifungal effects of these extracts on the mycelia growth of the pathogens were significant at P<0.05 for all treatments at higher concentrations. At 10-50% concentration, ethanolic and methanolic extracts of Vernonia amygdalina and Cola acuminata had no significant effect on the mycelia growth of Fusarium moniliformes and Rhizopus stolonifer after seven days observation period. At 60-100% concentrations, the two pathogens were completely inhibited by ethanolic extracts of Vernonia amygdalina and Cola acuminata. Methanolic extracts of Vernonia amygdalina and Cola acuminata inhibited completely Fusarium moniliformes and Rhizopus stolonifer at 80-100% concentrations. The in vitro inhibitory effects of these extracts at higher concentrations indicated that they can be used for the control of tomato fruit rot. It may be necessary to use them in prolonging the shelf-life of fresh tomato fruit and some other fruits.

Antifungal Activity and Phytochemical Screening of Vernonia amygdalina Extract against Botrytis cinerea Causing Gray Mold Disease on Tomato Fruits

“…To date, most researchers have focused on V. amygdalina crude extract in order to uncover its potential as an antifungal agent for the management of plant disease. Recent findings found that V. amygdalina ethanol extracts showed a good ability to inhibit postharvest fungal pathogens Rhizopus stolonifer and Fusarium moniliforme [ 16 , 17 ]. In another study, in an in vitro test using an ethanol crude extract of V. amygdalina at 300 mg/mL, the growth of Cercosporella persica and Curvularia lunatus were completely inhibited [ 18 ].…”