ANTIFUNGAL ACTIVITIES OF PAWPAW AND BITTER LEAF ROOTS EXTRACT AGAINST FUNGI ASSOCIATED WITH POST-HARVEST ROT OF IRISH POTATO
Abstract
ABSTRACT
This study investigated the antifungal efficacy of pawpaw (Carica papaya) root and bitter leaf (Vernonia amygdalina) powders against post-harvest fungal pathogens of Irish potatoes. Fungal isolates identified from infected potato tubers included Fusarium verticilloides, Rhizopus stolonifera, and Aspergillus niger, which are well-documented agents of rot in stored tubers. In vitro antifungal screening revealed that Formulation B (1:1 mixture of pawpaw root and bitter leaf powders) exhibited the highest inhibition zones against all three fungal isolates, with mean zones of 16.00 mm (F. verticilloides), 16.30 mm (R. stolonifera), and 17.00 mm (A. niger). In situ trials over 7 days showed that Formulation B significantly reduced rot progression, with a mean rot percentage of 11.33%, compared to 87% in the untreated control and 8.64% in the chemical fungicide control. These findings confirm the antifungal potential of locally available plant powders and underscore their possible use as eco-friendly, low-cost alternatives to synthetic fungicides in managing post-harvest diseases of Irish potatoes.
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