Abstract
This study investigated the phytochemical constituents and antifungal potential of Citrus limon peels using aqueous and methanol extracts against Fusarium oxysporum and Rhizopus stolonifer causing rots in water melon. The result of phytocemical screening revealed the presence of Saponin, Tannin, Phenols, Alkaloid and Flavanoid. Pathogenicity test conducted showed that F. oxysporum and R. stolonifer causes rots of Citrullus lanatus. The extracts inhibited the growth of F. oxysporum (76.67% and 60.00 %) methanol and aqueous respectively. R. stolonifer growth was inhibited (85.93% and 71.11%) methanol and aqueous extracts. The fungitoxicity of synthetic fungicide Benomyl was 95.56%. The methanol extracts has highest inhibitory activity than aqueous extract. The result of the findings indicates the Biofungicide potentials of Citrus limon peels as alternative to synthetic fungicide in management of phyto-pathogens of water lemon.
Highlights
The persistent and promiscuous utilization of synthetic fungicides have exerted a serious threat to ecological balance and human health resulting in carcinogenic occurrences and resistance to the chemicals by the pathogenic fungi which poses a serious threat to plant and agricultural products
This study investigated the phytochemical constituents and antifungal potential of Citrus limon peels using aqueous and methanol extracts against Fusarium oxysporum and Rhizopus stolonifer causing rots in water melon
The perceived negative effect caused by synthetic fungicide, bactericide, herbicide, nematicide and pesticide/insecticide on agricultural land and water bodies as well as the risks involved in such activities, much attention was focused towards alternative method of pathogen control [5]
Summary
The persistent and promiscuous utilization of synthetic fungicides have exerted a serious threat to ecological balance and human health resulting in carcinogenic occurrences and resistance to the chemicals by the pathogenic fungi which poses a serious threat to plant and agricultural products. With regards to the negative effects imposed by the use of synthetic chemicals in management of plant diseases, utilization of plants extracts in the course of managing plant diseases is gaining importance [6]. The perceived negative effect caused by synthetic fungicide, bactericide, herbicide, nematicide and pesticide/insecticide on agricultural land and water bodies as well as the risks involved in such activities, much attention was focused towards alternative method of pathogen control [5]. The presence of arrays of phytochemicals such as saponins, steroids, tannins, glycosides, alkaloids, flavanoids and phenols in plants are responsible for antimicrobial activities [9,17]
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