EFFECTS OF THREE BOTANICALS, HUMUS PLUS® AND WOOD ASH EXTRACTS ON THE GROWTH OF ATOXIGENIC Aspergillus flavus (AFLASAFE®)

Abstract

This investigation examined how the atoxigenic strain of Aspergillus flavus (Aflasafe®) responded to the treatment with wood ash, tagetes, hyptis extracts, and garlic.  It was carried out in the Department of Crop Protection Laboratory, University of Abuja, Abuja. Atoxigenic A. flavus was isolated from Aflasafe®, a biocontrol product for aflatoxin. The pure culture of the pre-soaked atoxigenic fungus for 0 hr and 2 hrs respectively were then applied with the treatments. The zone of inhibition of the treated fungus was observed and recorded at 2, 3 and 5 Days After Inoculation (DAI). The descending order of the inhibiting efficacy of the garlic extract were garlic > hyptis>wood ash > tagetes > King Humus Plus® extracts. The extract was then prepared at 5 different concentrations levels - 100%, 50%, 25%,12.5% and 0%, (w/v). The pure culture of the atoxigenic fungus was treated accordingly and replicated thrice. The radial growth and zone of inhibition of the fungus indicated a significant difference (p=0.05) due to the treatment effects (p ≤0.05) at 2, 3 and 5 DAI. Garlic extract at 100% concentration had the highest inhibiting effects on the growth of the atoxigenic A. flavus.It is advisable from the study that when using Aflasafe® to combat A. flavus that causes aflatoxin contamination, the utilization of garlic extract should be avoided, and the farm should be free of hyptis weed.