Abstract

Potential of Trichoderma harzianum, Pseudomonas syringae and Pseudomonas chlororaphis for the control of rot in post harvest yams was investigated. Treatments comprising two pathogenic fungi, each paired with three biological antagonists were set up. Degree of rot was evaluated by calculation of percentage reduction by the antagonists. Pathogenicity test showed that Botryodiplodia theobromae and Fusarium solani induced rot in healthy yam tubers after fourteen days of inoculation, B. theobromae being the more virulent with 85.5% rot. Reduction of rot ranged from 53.5 - 84.5% in B. theobromae when paired with the biological antagonists and in F. solani, the rot reduction ranged from 59.6 - 87.1%. Generally, T. harzianum was the most effective in controlling B. theobromae and F. solani. The use of these three biological antagonists, recommends their use in the control of rot in post harvest yam tubers.

Key words: Fungal rot, antagonists, post harvest, yam tubers.