Abstract

Diseased cabbages are known for post-harvest and financial losses for farmers. The study evaluated the pathogenicity of the fungi species identified from diseased cabbages and in-vitro control using biological control. For the pathogenicity test, soil was sterilized and 100 cabbages planted in polythene bags. After 65 days of growth, healthy cabbages were infused with 105 spores in 1 miles of glucose solution per treatment according to Koch’s postulate. For the in-vitro control of fungi diseases, three medicinal plants: Commelina benghalensis, Clementis hirsuta and Telfairia occidentalis and three medicinal mushrooms: Lentinus species, Trametes pubescens, and Pleurotus ostreatus were used. Three kilograms of dry products each were used for methanolic and aqueous extractions. The signs and symptoms recorded were rottenning of cabbage leaves, yellowing of leaves, darkening of leaves and decaying. Pathogenicity test showed that Fusarium oxysporum, Alternaria alternata, Curvularia senegalensis and Trichoderma hazianum are responsible for cabbage diseases. The overall result reveals that aqueous and methanolic extracts of the medicinal plants and mushrooms at 20, 40 and 80%, with 80% being the best concentration can be used to control cabbage diseases as they inhibited the growth of the pathogen that can reduce post-harvest losses of cabbages.

Key words: Cabbage, pathogenicity test, in vitro control, medicinal plants, medicinal mushrooms.