Abstract:
In this study, the antifungal effect of aqueous and ethanol extracts of Azadirachtaindicaon the
growth of fungal pathogen associated with postharvest rot of pawpaw was investigated. Four
different extract concentrations were used in this research 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% in a
sterile distilled water and ethanol. Two fungi were isolated from rotten papaya fruits collected
from three different markets in Wukari, namely; Old market, new market and yam market. The
fungi isolated were identified as Aspergillusniger and Rhizopusstolonifer. Pathogenicity test
revealed that Aspergillusniger, and Rhizopusstolonifer are capable of inducing rot hence caused
rot in healthy pawpaw fruits after 5 days of inoculation, with Rhizopusstolonifer being the most
virulent. Ethanol extract proved to be more potent. Inhibition of fungal growth increased with a
corresponding increase in extract concentration. The fungitoxic potential of this plant extracts on
rot inducingfungi of pawpaw recommends their use to famers as alternative to commercial /
synthetic fungicides |
