Fungicidal effect of pawpaw (Carica papaya L.) leaf extracts on Fusarium verticilliodes

Abstract

The in vitro effect of 10, 30 and 50% (w/v) concentrations of the aqueous and ethanolic extracts of pawpaw (Carica papaya L.) leaf on the radial growth of Fusarium verticilliodes was studied using the pour plate method.  The diameters of radial growth of the mycelia of F. verticilliodes were measured at 24 hours intervals for five days. Both extracts retarded the radial growth of F. verticilliodes compared to that of the control, with the ethanolic extract having a greater fungistatic effect at the concentrations tested in this study.