HORT COMMUNICATION EFFICACY OF PLANT EXTRACTS ON CONTROL OF OKRA ANTHRACNOSE (Colletotrichum gloeosporiodes) IN THE SUDAN SAVANNAH ECOLOGY OF NIGERIA.

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted at the Research Farm of the Department of Crop Protection, University of Maiduguri during the 2017 cropping season to evaluate the efficacy of five plant extracts (Neem seed, Garlic clove, Ginger rhizome, Bitter leaf, Balanite), and synthetic fungicide (Ridomil) on the control of okra anthracnose. The field trial was laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) and replicated three times. Data was collected on disease incidence and severity, as well as average fruit yield, average fruit weight, average plant height and plant establishment count were also determined. Result showed that plant sprayed with the plant extracts had significant (p = 0.05) lower disease incidence and severity compared to the untreated plots. Plots treated with Neem seed and ginger rhizome extracts recorded significant reduction in disease incidence (19.96 and 18.53% respectively) at 3WAP, compared to the untreated plot (29.30%). Growth and yield parameters in treated plots for Neem seed, Garlic clove and synthetic fungicide were rated higher (589.53kg/ha, 588.50kg/ha and 606.90kg/ha) respectively compared to plots treated with other plant extracts as well as the check. The study has therefore shown that the plant extracts has great potential as fungicidal materials for control of anthracnose disease of okra.