EVALUATION OF Tridax procumbens and Lantana camara on Khaya senegalensis A. Juss SEEDS INFESTED BY MYCOFLORA

Abstract

Tree seedlings production are often constrained due to loss of seed viability caused by mycoflora. Evidence revealed that plant extracts could effectively controlled seed mycoflora. This study was conducted to investigate the association of mycoflora with Khaya senegalensis seeds and evaluate in-vitro, the effect of Tridax procumbens and Lantana camara leaves extract on its control. Qualitative and quantitative phytochemical analysis of the plant extracts was carried out following standards procedure. Blotter test (ISTA-1966) method was used to detect and identify mycoflora on the seeds and plants extracts were evaluated in[1]vitro on detected fungi. Data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics and ANOVA. Means were separated using Duncan Multiple Range Test at p=0.05 level of significant. From the results T. procumbens leaf extract contained tannins (11.90mg/g), saponins (0.08mg/g), flavonoid (0.07mg/g) and alkaloids (0.02mg/g) while that of L. camara contained tannins (9.33mg/g), saponins (0.12mg/g), flavonoids (0.06mg/g) and alkaloid (0.05mg/g). Six levels of fungal occurrence; Trichoderma sp. (6), Collectotricum sp. (38), Aspergillus terreus (26), Aspergillus flavus (15), Aspergillus niger (6) and Curvularia sp. (9) were detected and identified. There was significant difference in mean areas of Collectotricum sp., Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus terreus, Aspergillus flavus and Curvularia sp. mycelia growth at p=0.05. The mean area of Trichoderma sp. growth on Benomyl and other plant extracts except for L. camara at 50% concentration were not significantly different from each other at p=0.05. The level of mycelia inhibition of the plant extract increased with increasing concentrations. This study showed that T. procumbens and L. camara leaf extracts has the potential to control damage caused by fungi on K. senegalensis seeds.