Journal of Plant Pathology & Microbiology

Abstract

The Effect of Fungi Associated with Leaf Blight of Solanum aethiopicum L. in the Field on the Nutrient and Phytochemical Composition of the Leaves and Fruits of the Plant

Ibiam OFA and Nwigwe I

The leaves of Solanum aethiopicum L. in the field was investigated for possible isolation and identification of fungi associated with leaf-spot disease of the plant. The nutrients and phytochemical contents of the apparently healthy fruits and leaves and the infected leaves of Solanum aethiopicum L. were determined. Determined also is the effect of the disease on the nutrient and phyto-chemical content of the leaves. Results showed that Sclerotium rolfsii was isolated from the blighted leaves of Solanum aethiopicum L. The apparently healthy leaves had the highest amount of protein and carbohydrates, while the infected leaves had the least amount. Vitamin C and fibre contents were the highest in the apparently healthy fruit, but least in the infected leaves. The phosphate and phosphorus concentrations were the highest in the infected leaves than in healthy ones. The concentration of Na and Mn in infected leaves was higher than in apparently healthy fruit and leaves, whereas the Ca concentration in apparently healthy leaves was higher those in apparently healthy fruits and infected leaves. Nitrates and Nitrogen were in apparently healthy leaves and fruits than infected leaves.. The results of the nutrient content of apparently healthy leaves, fruits and the infected leaves have a significant difference (P<0.05). The levels of alkaloids and flavonoids were highest in the apparently healthy leaves than in apparently healthy fruits and infected leaves. The levels of Saponins were higher in the apparently healthy fruits, followed by those of apparently healthy leaves and least in the infected leaves. The infected leaves had the highest level of cytogenic glycosides, while the apparently healthy leaves and fruits had the same levels of the compound. The levels of these phytochemicals in the three samples of Solanum aethiopicum L. used in the study had no significant difference (P>0.05).