Moringa oleifera Extracts Effect on Fusarium solani and Rhizoctonia solani Growth

Aims: An in vitro study was conducted to test the effect of concentration levels of Moringa oleifera leaf and seed extracts in controlling the growth of Rhizoctonia solani and Fusarium solani pathogens.

Study Design: The experimental design was a 2*7 factorial laid out in a Completely Randomized Design. Potato Dextrose Agar was amended with Moringa leaf extract and seed extract, and mycelial growth of R. solani and F. solani were measured.

Place and Duration of Study: University of Zimbabwe pathology laboratory during 2014/ 2015 season.

Methodology: The concentrations levels of 10%, 15%, 20%, 25% and 30% from each extract were used. Distilled water (0%) was used as negative control, whilst 10% copper oxychloride was the positive control. Potato Dextrose Agar was amended with Moringa leaf extract and seed extract, and mycelial growth of R. solani and F. solani were measured.

Results: All extracts showed a significant effect on reducing fungal growth (P=0.05). The higher the extract concentration level, the less the mycelial growth and no mycelial growth occurred on the positive control (10% copper oxychloride). Maximum percentages of inhibition of 45 and 50% was recorded against R. solani using Moringa seed extract at 25 and 30% concentrations, respectively. Both Moringa extracts gave 50% inhibition growth of F. solani at the 30% concentration level.

Conclusion: Moringa leaf and seed extracts contain antifungal properties which inhibited growth of R. solani and F. solani. Moringa extract concentration levels influenced the antifungal efficacy of the extracts, with higher concentration levels exhibiting an increased antifungal ability against the test pathogens. The phytochemical analysis of Moringa leaves and seed solvent extracts showed presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, glycosides, tanin and phenolic compounds, terpenoids, etc.