Post-Harvest Deterioration of Cassava and its Control Using Extracts ofAzadirachta IndicaandAframomum Melegueta

摘要

Post-harvest deterioration is the most important cause of loss in cassava production and this is mainly as a result of microbial invasion of the tubers. This research was therefore carried out to identify and control the organisms responsible for post-harvest deterioration of cassava tubers. Ethanolic and water extractions ofAzadirachta Indica(A. Juss) leaves andAframomum melegueta(Schumann) seeds were used as antifungal agents and the susceptibility of four of the isolated pathogenic fungi to them was observed in culture. The tested organisms wereAspergillus nigerVan Tiegh,Botryodiplodia theobromaePat,Fusarium solani(Mart). Sacc andPenicillium oxalicumCurrie and Thom. All tested organisms showed different degrees of inhibitions by the extracts withA. nigerbeing the most inhibited by ethanolic extraction ofA. melegueta. The overall result showed thatA. indicawas more active on the organisms though it’s effects and that ofA. meleguetawere not significantly different (P>0.05).