Author(s)

Matthew Elaigwu¹, Hyacinth Ocheigwu Apeh Oluma², Amana Onekutu²

¹Department of Integrated Science, College of Education, Oju, Benue State, Nigeria.
²Department of Biological Sciences, University of Agriculture Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria.

This study investigated the antifungal activity of leaf extracts of Prosopis africana and Anacardium occidentale against Macrophomina phaseolina, the causal agent of root rot of Sesamum indicum L. Phytochemical analysis of the two plants showed the presence of alkaloids, saponins, tannins, flavonoids and anthraquinones in petroleum ether, ethyl acetate, methanol and water extracts. The effectiveness of the two medicinal plants viz: P. africana and A. occidentale was tested against the causative agent of root rot of Sesamum indicum L. The effect of plant leaf extracts on mycelia growth of the test organism shows that both P. africana and A. anacardium reduced the mycelia growth significantly as compared to the control (plate, 2, 3, 4). The antifungal property of P. africana and A. occidentale makes these plants of potential interest for the control of the fungi Macrophomina phaseolina.

Phytochemical, Antifungal Screening, Prosopis africana, Anacardium occidentale, Leaf Extracts, Macrophomina Phaseolina (Tassi) Goid

Elaigwu, M. , Oluma, H. and Onekutu, A. (2018) Phytochemical and Antifungal Activity of Leaf Extracts of Prosopis africana and Anacardium occidentale against Macrophomina Root Rot of Sesamum indicum L. in Benue State, Central Nigeria. Journal of Geoscience and Environment Protection, 6, 66-76. doi: 10.4236/gep.2018.67005.