Authors : E.U. Opara and R.C. Wokocha
Abstract: The efficacy of 12 aqueous plant extracts to inhibit the growth of bacterial spot pathogen (Xanthomonas campestris pv. vesicatoria) was tested both in vitro and in vivo. Data obtained showed that in the in vitro experiment, all the plant extracts assayed inhibited the growth of the bacterium to varying degrees when compared with the untreated control. Azadirachta indica seed aqueous extract was the most effective (40.33%) while the least effective was Chromolaena odorata extract (17.33%). However, in the in vivo experiment, A. indica seed, Piper guineense and Citrus sinensis extracts performed better than other extracts while C. odorata was the least effective. When seedlings were artificially inoculated and subsequently treated with the extracts, results showed that P. guineense, A. indica and Allium cepa performed better than other extracts. This experiment shows that there is an advantage in using some local herbs and plant botanicals as antibacterial agents considering their availability and environmental friendliness when compared with synthetic chemicals.
E.U. Opara and R.C. Wokocha , 2008. Efficacy of Some Plant Extracts on the In vitro and In vivo Control of Xanthomonas campestris Pv. Vesicatoria. Agricultural Journal, 3: 163-170.