Abstract Rhizosphere studies of two local green vegetables, Celpsia argentea Linn and Hibiscus esculentus. Linn (new name Abelmoschus esculentus) were studied from vegetative stage to senescence. The viable seeds of both vegetables were collected and planted on garden beds made from sandy loam soil. Samples were collected at two-week intervals at 9.00 hrs in the the morning. Morphologically, A. esculentus (okra) had 3 leaves with more dense rooting system at 2 weeks than C.argentea (solo) wit...
Abstract This research was carried out to study the mycological deterioration of stored maize in different storage facilities within Enugu metropolis. The study was carried out in some selected markets and homes in Enugu State, Nigeria this involved a cross-sectional study which covered four (4) different market locations (Akwata, Gariki, New market, Abakpa market and two (2) different homes (Thinkers corner and Ugwuaji) with different storage methods (storage in gallons and in kitchen chimne...
ABSTRACT Sugarcane smut disease caused by a fungus Sporisorium scitamineum is a limiting factor to cane production in Kenya. It is threatening the sugar industry due to its effect on cane quality and yields. Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) is known to have microbial organisms associated with its rhizosphere with potential antagonistic activity against the fungus, however numerous studies on rhizosphere microbial diversity and their antagonistic activity against fungal plant pathogens hav...
ABSTRACT Sugarcane smut disease caused by a fungus Sporisorium scitamineum is a limiting factor to cane production in Kenya. It is threatening the sugar industry due to its effect on cane quality and yields. Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) is known to have microbial organisms associated with its rhizosphere with potential antagonistic activity against the fungus, however numerous studies on rhizosphere microbial diversity and their antagonistic activity against fungal plant pathogens hav...
Abstract The susceptibility of third install larvae of Helicoverpa armigers to 7 strains of 3 entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) species ie Bueauveria bassiana, Metarhizium anisopliae (M.a) and Paecilomyces fumosoroseus (P.Fr) was tested under laboratory conditions. Three best performing strains in 3 species/strains ie B. Bassiana 124, M. Anisopliae 79 and P. Fumosoroseus 14 were selected to examine their effectiveness against different larval and pupal stages of H. armigera. Sublethal doses were d...
ABSTRACT Microbial examination of spoilt Avocado fruits was carried out to obtained the causal organism. A total of 60 avocado from Ogbete Main market and New market Enugu were examined by culturing on nutrient agar and sabourand dextrose agar (SM), for bacteria and fungi causing post – harvest spoilage on the fruits; six bacterial species and six fungal species were isolated. The bacteria include Erwinia SP (66.7%), Streptococcus sp, *25%), E. Coli (18.9%) and staphycoccus sp ...
Abstract: Antioxidant and antimicrobial properties are the biological activity of natural compoundsisolated from medicinal plants that are rich source of novel drugs. Endophytic fungi are a potential source of novel bioactive compounds. The present study investigates antimicrobial and antioxidant properties of endophytic fungi from fennel (Insilali) seeds and leaves. The antioxidant activity was conducted based on determination of phenolic content, 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl and hydrogen...
ABSTRACT Aflasafe KE01 is a biological control product comprising of four atoxigenic strains of Aspergillus flavus which are native in Kenya. This study determined the efficacy of Aflasafe KE01 on the population of aflatoxin producing fungi and aflatoxin contamination of maize in alternate seasons. Field efficacy trials were carried out in aflatoxin hot spots in Kathiani and Wote sub Counties in lower Eastern Kenya. Twenty four maize fields were selected at random in each Sub County where 12 ...
Abstract: Soil is the primary reservoir for fungi of which Aspergillus and Fusarium species are the main causal agents of maize ear rot and mycotoxin production. Season and cropping systems are known to influence soil fungal community structure. It is imperative to establish the distribution and density of soil fungal communities as a requisite for formulating strategies for management of ear rot infections and mycotoxin contamination. The current study was carried out to investigate the dis...
Fungi are ubiquitous plant pathogens that are major spoilage agents of foods and feedstuffs. The infection of plants by various fungi not only results in reduction in crop yield and quality with significant economic losses but also contamination of grains with poisonous fungal secondary metabolites called mycotoxins. There is an urgent need to address the food safety and International trade issues associated with mycotoxin contamination in Nigerian consumer goods and agricultural products be...
ABSTRACT This study was conducted to document the occurrence and characteristics of mycotic agents isolated from trade horses and donkeys in Obollo-Afor, Enugu State. A total of 497 horses and 65 donkeys presented for sale at Obollo-Afor horse/donkey market during the wet season (June to August 2014) and dry season (January to March 2015) were examined for skin lesions. For each horse/donkey examined, the location of skin lesion as well as the sex of the animal was recorded. Each skin lesion...
ABSTRACT The need for utilizing renewable resources to meet the future demand for fuel and other value added products has increased the attention on lignocellulose, the most abundant and renewable resource in the world. Lignocellulose is degraded by lignocellulolytic enzymes produced by fungi and bacteria. Mutagenic agents can be used to achieve improvement of these strains. However, there has been a challenge in improving and optimizing fermentation process which in most cases has been carr...
ABSTRACT Microbial infections remain to be a major global public health challenge. In Kenya, these infections cause significant morbidity and mortality. Their devastating effects are majorly attributed to antimicrobial drug resistance. Nonetheless, the biodiversity and ecology of tropical Basidiomycetes fungi is an untapped source of potential bioactive compounds. Therefore, the current study aimed to isolate and test crude extracts and antimicrobial compounds from Basidiomycetes against sel...
ABSTRACT Cowpea is a multipurpose legume crop that serves as human food, livestock fodder, and income source and is widely produced in sub-Saharan Africa. Soil fertility and attack by insect pests and diseases are significant limitations to its production. Although farm inputs such as phosphate-rich fertilizers and pesticides can solve the mentioned constraints, they are costly for resource-poor farmers. This study aimed at determining the effect of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi inoculation ...
Abstract: Cowpea is a multipurpose legume crop that serves as human food, livestock fodder, and income source and is widely produced in sub-Saharan Africa. Soil fertility and attack by insect pests and diseases are significant limitations to its production. Although farm inputs such as phosphate-rich fertilizers and pesticides can solve the mentioned constraints, they are costly for resource-poor farmers. This study aimed at determining the effect of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi inoculation ...