Efficacy of Turmeric Rhizome (Curcuma longa) and Moringa Leaf (Moringa oleifera) Extract in Treatment against Fungi Associated with Maize Seeds

This research was focused on the use of different concentration of aqueous extract of Moringa leaf and Turmeric rhizome as seed treatment agents against fungi associated with maize seeds. The study was designed using 2 x 3 factorial in completely randomised design. This research was carried out in Biology Laboratory of Federal College of Forestry, Jos from April to June 2018. Untreated maize seeds were collected from farmers in three different areas of Mazah village in Jos North LG. Maize seeds were tested for the presence of fungi by culturing on Petri dish having moist filter paper. Aqueous extract of Turmeric rhizome and Moringa leaf at 25, 50, and 75 ml concentration were used as seed treatment agent against fungi. The seeds were soaked in prepared extracts for 1 hour and then cultured on petri dish having moist filter paper, control samples were soaked in sterile water. Infested seeds were counted manually after twenty days. Results were analysed using one-way analysis of variance at 95% confidence level. Penicillium sp, Fusarium solani, Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus flavus were isolated from the untreated maize seed. Fusariumsolani gave the highest percentage occurrence of 35.48. 50 ml concentration of Turmeric rhizome has an antifungal mean value of 3.67 after 20days. The control (untreated) showed the antifungal mean value of 6.67 after 20 days. The results obtained revealed significance between the treatment and the control. The results indicate Turmeric rhizome and Moringa leaf extracts could be used in seed dressing against maize infection caused by fungi.