MI Godwin-Egein and VC Okereke*
Department of Crop and Soil Science, University of Port Harcourt, Choba, PMB 5323, Port Harcourt, Nigeria
Abstract
Disease management strategies using synthetic chemicals are expensive,
hazardous and environmentally unfriendly and have necessitated the search for alternatives
in biological agents with antimicrobial properties. This research was aimed at assessing
the effectiveness of Bacillus thuringiensis and avocado seed powder applied either as soil
amendments and/or seed coatings on Fusarium root rot of potted okra. Fusarium oxysporum
isolated from diseased okra plants was used to inoculate the pots. The experiment was a
completely randomized design (CRD) replicated eight times. Data were collected on percentage
germination, disease incidence and plant growth parameters such as shoot weight, root weight,
shoot length and root length. Results showed significant (P = 0.002) difference among
treatments with the hybrid seeds having the highest percentage germination of 94% followed
by soil treated with avocado seed powder (85%) and their effect differed significantly
from the control. In terms of disease incidence, hybrid seeds, seed coating or soil treatment
with avocado and soil treatment with Bt all controlled the disease giving incidence values
of 26%, 25%, 18% and 16%, respectively, which differed from the control pots (41%).
Shoot length was significant (P = 0.049 and P = 0.007) at both assessments where hybrid seeds
constantly maintained the tallest plants. Since the treatments suppressed the incidence of
root rot disease, the use of these treatments is advocated for effective management of Fusarium root rot disease.
Key words: Hybrid, Bacillus thuringiensis, Fusarium oxysporum, Abelmoschus esculentus, Persea americana, root rot
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