PHYTOCHEMICAL ANALYSIS AND GROWTH INHIBITORY EFFECTS OF SOME BOTANICALS ON SEED BORNE FUNGI OF AVOCADO PEAR (Persea gratissima) FRUITS IN RIVERS STATE, NIGERIA

Phytochemical analysis and growth inhibitory effects of plant leaf extracts of Ocimum gratisimum and Azadiracta indica on seed borne fungi of Avocado Pear fruits in the rain forest ecosystem of Rivers State, was carried out. The experiment was laid out in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with eight treatments and three replicates. Results showed, the most frequently occurred fungus isolated from infected fruits of avocado Pear was Fusarium pallidoroseum (76.00%), followed by Colletotrichum gloeosporoides (36.00%), while Botryodiplodia theobromae (32.00%) was the least. Phytochemical analysis of leaf extracts of O. gratisimum and A. indica showed the presence of the following phytochemical constituents, essential oil (eugenol), flavonoid, quinones, tannins, saponins and terpenes. Significant differences (P ≤ 0.05) existed among the various phytochemical constituents with quinones (25.0mg/g ± 0.00) having the highest quantity present in O. gratissimum, followed by flavonoid (15.00 mg/g ± 0.02) and tannins being the least (5.20mg/g ± 0.02). The most prevalent phytochemical constituent in A. indica was tarpenes (10.30mg/g ± 0.01), followed by flavonoid (10.25mg/g ± 0.01), Saponins (8.30mg/g ± 0.04) while tannins was the least (2.30mg/g ± 0.03). Radial/mycelial growth of test fungi in potato dextrose agar (PDA) amended with 20, 60, and 100% extracts of O. gratissimum and A. indica were significantly (P ≤ 0.05) reduced when compared with control. O. gratissimum was most inhibitory against the test fungi compared to A. indica. The chemicals, Benlate (Beromyl) were also tested for their efficacy in controlling Avocado Pear rot organisms. Results showed a progressive reduction in growth of the fungi as chemical concentrations used increased particularly at 100ppm. Therefore, this research holds promise for the use of botanicals as an alternative means of synthetic fungicide. It is readily available, eco-friendly and cheaper than synthetic fungicides.