EVALUATION OF SOME PLANT MATERIAL AS PROTECTANT AGAINST SEED ROT DISEASE OF SOYBEAN (GLYCINE MAX)

Abstract The positive effects of plant materials with antimicrobial properties on crop disease management have been well-documented by many researchers. This study evaluated the use of plant materials as protectant against seed rot disease of soybean. The experiment was conducted in pots at the screen house of the Department of Crop and Soil Science and laid out in a completely randomized design with five replicates. The leaves of the following plant materials were used; Neem (Azadirachta indica), Lemon grass (Cymbopogon citratus), Moringa (Moringa oleifera), Orange (Citrus sinensis), Mango (Mangifera indica), Paw-paw (Carica papaya), and Soursop (Annona muricata). The plant materials were sourced locally, air-dried, ground into powder, formed into slurry and with the aid of a mucilage gum used to coat the soya bean seeds before sowing into 10 kg plastic pots filled with topsoil. The pots were arranged properly and watered when necessary for 12 weeks. The following data were collected germination count at 2 WAS, plant height, number of leaves per plant, leaf area, vigour index and disease incidence at 6, 8, 10, 12 WAS. Results indicated that A. indica achieved the highest germination rate (94.00%), while control recorded the lowest (66.00%). The plant materials exhibited superior plant height especially M. oleifera at 10 and 12 WAS and also improved the plant vigour with C. ciratus having the highest. C. ciratus, M. indica, M. indica and A. muricate all reduced the disease incidence to below 33%, when compared with the control where more than half of the plants showed symptom of rot disease. The finding therefore highlights the potential of using natural plant materials as seed coatings to enhance soybean growth, suggesting a promising approach for sustainable agricultural practices. Future research is recommended to explore field applications and the underlying mechanisms of plant materials efficacy.