FUNGAL SPECIES ASSOCIATED WITH THE PHYLLOSPHERE AND RHIZOSPHERE OF BLIGHTED OKRA (Abelmoschus esculentus) PLANTS IN SELECTED FARM LANDS IN NIGER STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

Blight is a disease cause by many fungi species that infects seedlings prior to or after germination resulting into stunted growth, blighted stem and seedling death. Infected okra plants were collected from three selected farms in Lavun, Chanchaga and Wushishi Local Governments Areas of Niger State. Fungal species were isolated using serial dilution and pour plates methods. Morphological characteristics of the isolates was confirmed using mycological atlas and microscopically using lactophenol cotton blue. Fungal species identified with their percentage relative abundance are Trichophyton megnini (8.40-14.37%), Microsporum gympseum (5.65-7.18%), Aspergillus niger (41.6-56.63%), Aspergillus flavus (6.29-33.28%), Mucor pusilus (0.0-8.32%), Mucor species(8.40-31.43%). Pathogenicity and Percentage disease incidence revealed the presence of the pathogens using healthy okra seedlings. Severe, high and highly severe infections symptoms of blight disease were observed after 12 days of inoculation. These study revealed the identity fungal species associated with blight disease of okra plants which lead to poor yield and in turn affected farmer’s productivity.