Abstract
Anti-myco pathogenic effect of field spray of botanical extract from neem (Azadirachta indica), Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus spp) and siam weed (Chromolaena odorata) against Phytophthora leaf blight disease of taro cultivars at weekly spray intervals were determined in vitro on growth of post-harvest myco pathogens of stored taro cultivars cormels. The storage, isolation and identification of the isolates were done at the Department of Crop Science Taro barn and Plant Pathology Unit, University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Results showed that the following fungal isolates were identified; Botryodiplodia theobromae, Sclerotium rolfsii, Aspergillus niger, Fusarium solani, Rhizopus stolonifer, Penicillium digitalium and Trichoderma viride with Botryodiplodia theohromae being the most occurred among the pathogens in all taro stored samples. The inhibitory potential of extracts varied with cultivars and pathogens. The percentage (%) of occurrence of isolates was highest in the coco India cultivar with no treatment, while the least was in purple green taro/Nachi cultivar with Ridomil gold treated samples. However, all botanicals proved effective in reducing post-harvest rot organisms compared to control in all samples. The fungitoxic potential of field sprays of botanicals against myco-rot pathogens of stored taro cultivars cormels is highly recommended to farmers as alternative natural fungicides to common potential health danger synthetic commercial fungicides.
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