Abstract

Isolation And Control Of Fungi Associated With Neck Rot Disease Of Onions (Allium Cepa L.) In Bama, Borno State, Nigeria

Abdulsalam, A.A., *Zakari, B.G., Chimbekujwo, I.B., Channya, F.K. and Bristone, B.

A survey of fungi associated with the neck rot disease of onion bulbs was conducted in Bama, Borno state Nigeria. The aim of this study was to test the effect of plant extracts in the control of fungi associated with neck rot disease of Allium cepa in markets of Bama and environments. Four fungi; Aspergillus niger, Botrytis aclada, Penicillium expansum and Aspergillus flavus were isolated. Pathogenicity test indicated that all the isolates were pathogenic on Allium cepa, however, A. niger was the most virulent of the other test organisms with highest mean rot diameter of 40.0 mm and P. expansum was the least virulent with mean rot diameter of 21.00mm. A. niger had the highest incidence of the disease in the study area and predominant in Woloji (96) %, Gulumba (90) % and Bama (75) %. Least encountered were P. expansum with disease incidence of (45)% each in Bama and Gulumba and (0.00)% in Woloji. Three plant extracts were tested on the fungal isolates. Of these Plant extracts tested, Mahogany leaves extract was highly effective against the test organisms than the other plants extract and cheaper compared to the pesticides which are highly toxic and costly.

Published Date: 2015-10-19;