African Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 4 (8), pp. 804-807, August 2005          
ISSN 1684–5315 © 2005 Academic Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Control of yam tuber rot with leaf extracts of Xylopia aethiopica and Zingiber officinale

R.N. Okigbo* and I.A Nmeka

Department Of Microbiology, Michael Okpara University Of Agriculture, Umudike, P.M.B 7267, Umuahia, Abia State, Nigeria.

*Corresponding author.  E-mail: okigborn17@yahoo.com.

Accepted 8 February, 2005

Investigation was carried out to test the potency of some plant extracts for the control of yam tuber rot caused by Fusarium oxysporum, Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus flavus. Hot water extracts were obtained from leaf and seed of uda (Xylopia aethiopica) and Ginger (Zinigiber officinale), and were found to be fungitoxic against the fungi. The extracts of suppressed the growth of these fungi in culture and reduced rot development in yam tubers.

Key words: Xylopia aethiopica, Zinigiber officinale, ginger, yam tuber rot.