In Vitro Evaluation of Antifungal Activities of Six Plant Extracts Against Colletotrichum lindemuthianum Sensu-lato

This study examined the effect of six plant extracts on growth, conidial germination and sporulation on C. lindemuthianum in vitro. Six plant extracts namely; Tridax procumbens, Jatropha gossypifolia, Sida acuta, Blighia sapida, Ricinus communis and Datura stramonium were tested against Colletotrichum lindemuthianum. Three concentrations (30, 50 and 65%) of the extracts were tested to determine their effects on conidia germination, growth and sporulation of C. lindemuthianum in vitro. Results showed that all the plant extracts had no significant inhibitory effect on conidia germination and sporulation but growth rates reduced significantly compared to the control. The rate of inhibition of growth was concentration dependent, being higher at 65% for all the extracts. D. stramonium was the most effective extract followed by R. communis and J. gossypifolia while B. sapida caused the least inhibition of growth. At 30, 50 and 65% concentrations, the rates of inhibition of growth were 10, 16 and 33% for D. stramonium and 2, 8 and 10% for B. sapida respectively. The study showed that the plant extracts has the potential for the inhibition of the pathogen.