article · African Journal of Agricultural Research
Fungal diseases in cabbages lead to substantial post-harvest deterioration and economic losses for farmers. Following pathogenicity testing on healthy plants grown in sterilised soil, four fungal species were identified as causes of cabbage disease: Fusarium oxysporum, Alternaria alternata, Curvularia senegalensis and Trichoderma harzianum. Affected cabbages displayed leaf rotting, yellowing, darkening and decay. To assess potential biological treatments, aqueous and methanolic extracts were derived from three medicinal plants, Commelina benghalensis, Clematis hirsuta and Telfairia occidentalis, alongside three medicinal mushrooms, Lentinus species, Trametes pubescens and Pleurotus ostreatus. In-vitro testing at concentrations of 20, 40 and 80 percent demonstrated that these botanical and fungal extracts successfully suppressed pathogen growth, with the 80 percent concentration providing the strongest inhibition. These findings indicate that plant and mushroom extracts offer viable bio-based options to control cabbage pathogens and limit post-harvest crop losses.
Fungal infections cause severe cabbage spoilage, directly harming growers through lost harvest volumes and reduced market income. Demonstrating that naturally derived extracts from local plants and mushrooms can halt the growth of these destructive pathogens provides an environmentally friendly alternative to chemical treatments. This approach supports safer crop protection methods that preserve agricultural yields and post-harvest produce quality.
This work points towards natural biofungicide formulations for vegetable farmers and agricultural input suppliers seeking eco-friendly crop protection. However, because the inhibitory effects were evaluated strictly through in-vitro laboratory assays, the technology remains at an early stage of development. Moving towards practical application will require field testing on live crops, formulation stabilising, safety verification and cost-effective extraction scaling before commercial adoption can occur.
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Diseased cabbages are known for post-harvest and financial losses for farmers. The study evaluated the pathogenicity of the fungi species identified from diseased cabbages and in-vitro control using biological control. For the pathogenicity test, soil was sterilized and 100 cabbages planted in polythene bags. After 65 days of growth, healthy cabbages were infused with 105 spores in 1 miles of glucose solution per treatment according to Koch’s postulate. For the in-vitro control of fungi diseases, three medicinal plants: Commelina benghalensis, Clementis hirsuta and Telfairia occidentalis and three medicinal mushrooms: Lentinus species, Trametes pubescens, and Pleurotus ostreatus were used. Three kilograms of dry products each were used for methanolic and aqueous extractions. The signs and symptoms recorded were rottenning of cabbage leaves, yellowing of leaves, darkening of leaves and decaying. Pathogenicity test showed that Fusarium oxysporum, Alternaria alternata, Curvularia senegalensis and Trichoderma hazianum are responsible for cabbage diseases. The overall result reveals that aqueous and methanolic extracts of the medicinal plants and mushrooms at 20, 40 and 80%, with 80% being the best concentration can be used to control cabbage diseases as they inhibited the growth of the pathogen that can reduce post-harvest losses of cabbages. Key words: Cabbage, pathogenicity test, in vitro control, medicinal plants, medicinal mushrooms.
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DOI: 10.5897/ajar2025.16883
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