Comparison of the Antifungal Activities of Selected Botanical Extracts Against the Carica papaya Fruit Rot Pathogen (Cladosporium herbarum)

Abstract

This study sought to utilize plant extracts to reduce rot in Carica papaya fruit caused by Cladosporium herbarum. Separate studies on the isolation and reemergence of the fungus were conducted. The phytochemical qualities of Anacardium occidentale, Prunus dulcis and Gmelina arborea leaf samples were assessed, and the potential antifungal properties of the extracts were investigated using disc diffusion test. The pathogenicity of the fungus was confirmed, as was the presence of some phytochemicals in the extracts. Overall, the results are consistent; inhibition of hyphal extension was significantly influenced (p < 0.05) by interactions of various concentrations and experimental days. The inhibition was concentration-dependent, the highest zone of inhibition was observed at 150 mg mL-1 in all extracts. A. occidentale demonstrated the highest inhibition (87.5 %), but 38.3 % in G. arborea on the seventh day. Inhibitory activities of these botanicals enlist them as effective antifungal agents for the treatment of rot disease.