IN VITRO EVALUATION OF PLANT EXTRACTS IN THE CONTROL OF SOUTHERN BLIGHT PATHOGEN (SCLEROTIUM ROLFSII) OF OKRA (ABELMOSCHUS ESCULENTUS)
Abstract
The study evaluated the effect of Bitter leaf (Vernonia amygdalina), Costus afer leaf and stem juice extracts on the control of southern blight pathogen (Sclerotium rolfsii) of Okra. The study conducted in the laboratory of the Department of Crop Science, Akwa Ibom State University, Obio Akpa, Oruk Anam lasted for 10 Days. A Completely Randomized Design (CRD) replicated three times for 10 treatments was used. Three concentrations (20%, 40% and 60%) of each plant extract compared with the control were determined for Sclerotium rolfsii radial growth. From the radial growth results, it revealed that bitter leaf (Vernonia amygdalina) and costus afer leaf extract at 20%, 40% and 60% concentrations respectively was recorded for the lowest radial growth rates of 0.80cm concurrently for the experimental period. It was concluded that the plant extracts used at different concentrations showed promising prospects for control of Sclerotium rolfsii growth rate in vitro. However, it was recommended that bitter leaf (Vernonia amygdalina) and Costus afer leaf extract could be used to control Sclerotium rolfsii and also recommended that, there is need to evaluate the inhibitory function of the plant extract in the field to ascertain their effectiveness.
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