FUNGI ASSOCIATED WITH MUNG BEAN (VIGNA RADIATA) SEEDS AND THEIR CONTROL MANAGEMENT WITH MONODORA MYRISTICA AND PIPER GUINEENSE

Abstract

Mung bean (MB) (Vigna radiata) seed is a very important pulse infected with many fungi which causes reduced viability, germination, vigour and yield. Accurate diagnosis of seed[1]borne fungi and their severity is a crucial step towards assessing probable crop losses and taking appropriate management measures in mung bean production and protection program. Information seed-borne fungi of MB and its mitigation is lacking in Nigeria. Therefore, fungal pathogens infecting mung bean seeds (MBS), their effects on seed and its germinability were investigated. Also, effects of the botanicals Piper guineense and Monodora myristica on fungi were evaluated. Two MB varieties MN92 and MN94 from Agronomy Department, of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike were taken to the laboratory for fungi isolation, identification, pathogenicity test and evaluation with Monodora myristca and Piper guineense for antifungal activity against seven seedborne fungi. Experimental design was complete randomized design with three replicates. Data were analyzed using ANOVA at α0.05. Aspergillus tamarii, A. flavus, A. ochraceous, A. niger, Paecilomyces, Botryodiplodia theobromae, Fusarium sp, Rhizopus sp, Phomopsis sp, Penicillium chrysogenum, P. oxalicum and P. montanense, were encountered in MBS. Aspergillus species were the most predominant, followed by Penicillum species while Botryodiplodia theobromae was the least in both MB varieties. Aspergillus tamarii, A. flavus, A. ochraceous, A. niger, Botryodiplodia theobromae, Rhizopussp and P. oxalicum caused MBS rot. Monodora myristica and P. guineense at 20% concentration reduced fungi growth considerably up to 22.0-80% and 22.0-85%, respectively. Both plant products could be used to mitigate fungi contamination of Mung bean seeds.