THE EFFICACY OF PLANTAIN INFLORESCENCE ASH IN THE CONTROL OF TRANSLUSCENT LEAFSPOT DISEASE OF TELFAIRIA OCCIDENTALIS (HOOK F.)

Telfairia occidentalis (Hook f.) widely consumed in South-Eastern Nigeria where it is grown for its young vines, leaves and its oil-rich seeds. Its production is often threatened by insect pests and diseases especially leafspot which reduces the quality, market value leaf and pod yields of the crop. Due to their scarcity, high cost and environmental concerns, the use of synthetic fungicides for its control is not often practiced. The use of ash from readily available agricultural by-product (plantain inflorescence) was investigated as a potential control measure for this disease. Different concentrations of plantain rachis ash were tested in-vitro for this effect on the growth, sporulation and spore germination of the causal fungus (Phoma sorghina). In a repeated green house experiment using artificial spray inoculation and field experiments using natural infection, plantain rachis ash consistently suppressed the growth and sporulation of the pathogen and reduced leaf spot disease. Pumpkin plants tested with 6gml-1 ash after 3HAI had significantly (P