ANTIFUNGAL EFFICIENCY OF PLANTS AQUEOUS EXTRACTS WITH POTENTIAL FOR CONTROL OF Cercospora oryzae MIYAKE IN RICE

Abstract

Rice (Oryza spp.) is the third most cultivated cereal crop in Benin, and major staple in the population’s daily diets. Its production, though is heavily impaired by fungal diseases, of which cercosporios accounts for about 60% yield loss. The objective of this study was to examine the efficacy of plant aqueous extracts for control of Cercospora oryzae diseases for improved rice production in Benin. We assessed the in vitro effectiveness of plant extracts on the sporulation and mycelial growth of C. oryzae, by evaluating the effectiveness of extracts on the foliar and panicular incidence, as well as the epidemic of C. oryzae in the field. A randomised complete block design arranged in split plots, was laid out with three spraying replications. The study combined phytiatric tools. Extracts from Lippia multiflora, Azadirachta indica and Eucalyptus camaldulensis at concentrations of 10 and 15% showed antifungal efficacy on Cercospora oryzae in vitro and in the field. Extracts of Cymbopogon citratus and Citrus limon did not exhibit antifungal efficacy against Cercospora oryzae.