Evaluation of antifungal efficacy of some plant extracts on Curvularia lunata, the causal organism of maize leaf spot

The efficacy of leaf extracts of Gliricidia sepium, Tithonia diversifolia, Phyllanthus amarus and Morinda lucida were assessed in vitro to control Curvularia lunata. The extracts of the four plants suppressed the growth of C. lunata in vitro. All the extracts at 100% concentration significantly suppressed the growth of C. lunata (P ≤ 0.05). At all concentrations, P. amarus is most efficacious of all the plants extracts; this was followed by extract of T. diversifolia and M. lucida. Extract of G. sepium was the least effective of all the plant extracts against C. lunata. P. amarus is most efficient in the control of leaf spot of maize caused by C. lunata of all the four plant extracts used.Key words: Botanicals, Curvularia lunata, extracts, leaf spot, maize

Efficacy of certain plant extracts against seed-borne infection of Collectotrichum destructivum on cowpea (Vigna uniguculata)

Aqueous extracts of leaves of Moringa oleifera Lam, Vernonia amygdalina and Annona muricata were evaluated for the control of Collectotrichum  destructivum on seeds of cowpea (Vigna uniguculata). The seeds were soaked in sterile distilled water extract (10, 20 and 30%, w/v) of the leaves for 6, 12 and 18 h. All these plant extracts had significant inhibitory growth effect on the fungal pathogen. M. oleifera extract was more effective than other plant extracts and compared favorably with benomyl in thecontrol of the pathogen

Evaluation of some bioagents and botanicals in in vitro control of Colletotrichum destructivum

Collectotrichum destructivum has not been effectively controlled. This led to trials on the use of bioagents and botanicals to control the pathogen. The bio-agents such as Pseudomonas fluorescens,Bacillus subtilis, Trichoderma harzianum and Trichoderma pseudokoningii were inoculated as dixenic culture with the pathogen to monitor antagonistic effect. In another experiment, botanicals of tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) and castor plant (Ricinus communis) were incorporated as poison in a growth media. Of all the four bio-agents used, only P. fluorescens was able to inhibit the growth of the pathogenmycelia significantly by 52%. Though B. subtilis also inhibited the growth of the pathogen, the effect on the pathogen was not significant when compared with that of P. fluorescens. The extracts of R.communis at higher concentration acted as growth “promoter” to the pathogen; its mycelia had a better sporulation and fluffiness than that of the controlled plate. The extract of N. tabacum significantly controlled the growth of the pathogen at the highest concentration when compared with other extracts and the control. In comparison, bio-agents were found to have better control of the pathogen than the botanicals. P. fluorescens was the best bio-agent in the control of C. destructivum

Morphological Identification of Rumen Microbial Isolate and Rumen Metabolites of West African dwarf sheep supplemented with forage-based Multi-nutrient Blocks

This study investigated the rumen fermentation parameters and rumen microbial identification of West African dwarf (WAD) sheep supplemented with forage – based multinutrient blocks (MNB). Twenty-five male WAD sheep, 9 – 12 months of age were used. The animals were randomly assigned to five formulated experimental multi-nutrient blocks having five animals per treatment and were fed with Panicum maximum ad libitum as basal diet for 84 days. The multi-nutrient blocks were Ipomoea triloba-based multi- nutrient block (IMNB), Merremia aegyptia-based multi-nutrient block (MMNB), Tithonia diversifolia based multi-nutrient block (TMNB), Chromolaena-odorata based multi-nutrient block (CMNB) and Azadirachta indica-based multi-nutrient block (AMNB). The chemical composition, nutrient intake and concentration of rumen metabolites were statistically compared. Also, rumen microbes were isolated and identified. Results revealed that CMNB had highest (P < 0.05) dry matter and crude protein contents (87.48 and 22.75% respectively) and sheep fed this block recorded highest dry matter and crude protein intakes (756.08 and 85.26 g/day respectively). Total volatile fatty acid, acetate, propionate and ammonia nitrogen concentrations as well as total viable bacteria count were higher (P < 0.05) in sheep fed AMNB. Ruminococcus spp and Lactobacillus spp were among the group of bacteria isolated from the rumen of sheep fed forage based multi-nutrient blocks. It was concluded that feeding of forage based multi-nutrient blocks especially CMNB and AMNB to ruminant could improve rumen microbial count and fermentation products which can also improve the efficiency of the animals towards better performance.Keywords: Urea-molasses blocks, ruminant microbiota, fermentation indice

Nutrient and anti-nutritional constituents of Penisetum purpureum and four indigenous tree legume of South-Western Nigeria: A potential ruminant feed

A study was carried out to investigate the nutrient composition as well as anti-nutritional constituents of some tree plants (Ficus sur, Bridelia macarrantii, Gmelina arborea and Albizia saman) and forage grass (Penisetum purpureum) in south- western Nigeria. Results indicated significant (P<0.05) variability in values of percentage crude protein (9.71 - 23.67%) where Penisetum purpureum recorded the least value and highest value observed in Ficus sur. Dry matter (DM), Crude fiber (CF), Organic matter (OM) and Ash contents varied significantly (p<0.05) from (23.52-46.23%, 8.45 - 30.22%, 64.01 - 96.95% and 2.66 – 8.44%) respectively. Albizia saman recorded significantly (p<0.05) higher ADF value (35.39%) with intermediate value (4.14%) of NDF. Penisetum purpureum had most ADL value (17.19%) while the least value was recorded in Gmelina arborea. Hemicellulose value ranged between (4.45 - 22.23%) with least value recorded by Ficus sur and highest by Penisetum purpureum plants. The concentrations of anti-nutritional factor was generally low, tannin content significantly (p<0.05) ranged from (0.75 - 3.56%) in Ficus sur and Albizia saman respectively. Penisetum purpureum had the least phytate (0.94 %) while Bridelia macarrantii recorded the most phytate value (2.65%). Saponin, Alkaloid and Oxalate level ranged from (0.10 - 1.51%, 0.36 - 1.58% and 0.34- 1.41%) respectively. The results show that the investigated plants seem to have good nutrient composition as well as low level of anti-nutritional factors and therefore can best be incorporated into ruminant feeding systems.Key words: Nutrient composition; Anti-nutritional constituents; tree plants; forage gras

Recurrent Local Tetanus: A Case Report

This case report is on the recurrence of tetanus localized over the (R) upper limb within a seventeen-month period. Recurrent localized tetanus has not been reported in our local medical literature just as there is paucity of reported localized tetanus. The patient in this case sustained a piercing broomstick injury to the medial aspect of the right upper arm during a fracas. The role of adequate wound exploration following the piercing injury of the skin by foreign objects, as well as the need for adequate, effective and a well co-coordinated immunization programme against tetanus is stressed. Key Words: Local Tetanus, Recurrence Piercing Injury, Foreign Objects Nigerian Medical Practitioner Vol. 46 No 1, 2004 (2 - 3

One stop shop: backbones trees for important phytopathogenic genera: I (2014)

Many fungi are pathogenic on plants and cause significant damage in agriculture and forestry. They are also part of the natural ecosystem and may play a role in regulating plant numbers/density. Morphological identification and analysis of plant pathogenic fungi, while important, is often hampered by the scarcity of discriminatory taxonomic characters and the endophytic or inconspicuous nature of these fungi. Molecular (DNA sequence) data for plant pathogenic fungi have emerged as key information for diagnostic and classification studies, although hampered in part by non-standard laboratory practices and analytical methods. To facilitate current and future research, this study provides phylogenetic synopses for 25 groups of plant pathogenic fungi in the Ascomycota, Basidiomycota, Mucormycotina (Fungi), and Oomycota, using recent molecular data, up-to-date names, and the latest taxonomic insights. Lineage-specific laboratory protocols together with advice on their application, as well as general observations, are also provided. We hope to maintain updated backbone trees of these fungal lineages over time and to publish them jointly as new data emerge. Researchers of plant pathogenic fungi not covered by the present study are invited to join this future effort. Bipolaris, Botryosphaeriaceae, Botryosphaeria, Botrytis, Choanephora, Colletotrichum, Curvularia, Diaporthe, Diplodia, Dothiorella, Fusarium, Gilbertella, Lasiodiplodia, Mucor, Neofusicoccum, Pestalotiopsis, Phyllosticta, Phytophthora, Puccinia, Pyrenophora, Pythium, Rhizopus, Stagonosporopsis, Ustilago and Verticillium are dealt with in this paper