1 Department of Botany, School of Physical and Biological Sciences, Maseno University, Kenya.
2 Department of Biological Sciences, School of Biological, Physical, Mathematics and Actuarial Sciences, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology, Kenya.
Research Article
World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 2024, 23(01), 2836-2844
Article DOI: 10.30574/wjarr.2024.23.1.2279
Received on 16 June 2024; revised on 25 July 2024; accepted on 27 July 2024
Understanding antimicrobial capabilities of endophytic fungi against pathogens is crucial for the development of sustainable and eco-friendly strategies for disease management in agriculture. This study explored in vitro and in vivo antimicrobial activities of fungal endophytic extracts from medicinal plants; Carissa edulis, Microglossa pyrifolia and Steganotaenia araliacea against maize fungal pathogens; Cercosporae zeae maydis and Fusarium verticillioides. These pathogens were identified using field identification manual (CIMMYT 2004). Diseased maize plant parts were aseptically collected in polythene bags and used for isolation of pathogens. Endophytic fungi extracts were obtained in ethyl acetate, evaporated and used for antimicrobial tests in food poison method. Plates for in vitro and pots for in vivo experiments were arranged in a completely randomized design. In vitro assays demonstrated that extracts from Microglossa pyrifolia exhibited the highest antimicrobial activities. Extracts from different plant parts, notably leaves and roots of Microglossa pyrifolia and Carissa edulis, respectively, showed significant (P<0.05) inhibition against pathogens. While C. zeae maydis was more susceptible to fungal extracts than F. verticilloides, in vivo experiments confirmed efficacy of fungal extracts in significantly reducing disease incidence in maize plants than in controls. The study emphasizes the agricultural potential of endophytic fungal extracts in offering sustainable strategies for fungal disease management in maize cultivation. This study had limitations on the impact of extract concentrations and environmental factors on antimicrobial activities and hence future studies should focus on these factors to optimize the efficacy of fungal extracts in agricultural applications.
In Vitro; In Vivo; Antimicrobial; Disease Incidence
Preview Article PDF
Dorah Auma Oula, Emitaro William and David Musyimi. In vitro and In-vivo antimicrobial activities of endophytic fungi from Carissa edulis, Microglossa pyrifolia and Steganotaenia araliacea against Cercosporae zeae maydis and Fusarium verticillioides. World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 2024, 23(1), 2836-2844. Article DOI: https://doi.org/10.30574/wjarr.2024.23.1.2279