Antifungal activity of plant extracts against Colletotrichum gloeosporioides (Penz.) the causative agent of yam anthracnose disease

Yam anthracnose disease is a major constraint to yam production world-wide. The hazardous effects of synthetic fungicides on both humans and the environment have necessitated the use of alternative environmentally friendly fungicides for the control of the disease. This study tested the efficacy of aqueous and ethanol extracts of Azadiratcha indica, Balanites aegyptiaca, Jatropha curcas, and Khaya senegalensis seeds, Icacina oliviformis leaves and Capsicum annuum (Legon 18 variety) fruit against Colletotrichum gloeosporioides (Penz.), the causative agent of yam anthracnose. The antifungal activity of each plant extract was assessed in vitro on potato dextrose agar using the food poison technique. Each extract inhibited significantly (p.05) the mycelia growth and spore germination of C. gloeosporioides. Qualitative phytochemical tests detected alkaloids, anthraquinones, cardiac glycosides, flavonoids, phlobatinnins, saponins, steroids, tannins and terpenoids. The potential antifungal activity exhibited by these plant material makes them suitable candidates for the control of anthracnose disease of yam.