Abstract
Frequently, stored melon seeds fail to preserve to their time of use. Storage fungi invade these seeds and cause their deterioration. A study was, therefore, carried out to determine the effect of guava (Psidiumguajava L.) leaf and ginger (Zingiberofficinale) rhizome extracts on the sporulation and spore germination of the invading seed fungi.Dried leaves and rhizomes were ground in sterile mortar, filtered through a wire sieve and then extracted usingthree different solvents. Results revealed that both extracts hindered sporulation and spore germination in the four fungi tested namely: Aspergillusflavus, A. niger, Rhizopusstolonifer and Fusarium species. The effect of the extracts on the test organisms increased with concentration of the extracts. Phytochemical screening confirmed the presence of alkaloids, saponins, lipids,tannins, flavonoids, and steroids. A reduction in nutrient contents was also observed in infested melon seeds. These results are significant and would serve as a template for planning the control of storage fungi in melon seeds in particular and other crop produce in general.
Highlights
Melon (Citrullus colocynthis) is a creeping annual plant, which thrives well on rich light soil in the hot climate regions of Africa
The aim of this study is to determine the effect of fresh guava (Psidium guajava L.) leaf and ginger (Zingiber officinale) rhizome extracts on the sporulation and spore germination of fungi associated with stored melon seeds with a view to controlling deterioration of melon seeds in storage
When the medium was amended with different concentrations of the extracts, it was observed that fewer spores were produced at all the concentrations tested
Summary
Melon (Citrullus colocynthis) is a creeping annual plant, which thrives well on rich light soil in the hot climate regions of Africa. In the south-eastern region of Nigeria, it is best cultivated after the first rain of each year and harvested about thirteen weeks after planting [2]. The fruit is filled with a soft white pulp in which are embedded numerous seeds. These seeds are washed and dried properly before storage. One major challenge melon seeds face in storage is that of deterioration and several fungi have been implicated. Seed deterioration constitutes a major constraint to all year round availability of melon in Nigeria and other parts of the world
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