FUNGI ASSOCIATED WITH THE LEAF BLIGHT OF Thaumatococcus danielli benth. IN THE UNIVERSITY OF BENIN, BENIN CITY

ABSTRACT

This study investigated the fungal organisms linked with leaf blight disease in Thaumatococcus daniellii. Diseased leaves from the Arboretum and Wildlife Unit of the Department of Forest Resources and Wildlife Management, University of Benin, were examined. Isolation, subculturing, maintenance, subculturing and identification of isolates were done on Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA), Identification of isolates was under the light microscope. Brownish necrotic lesions on leaf lamina were observed as the symptom of blight. Two fungal isolates each were found in association with the diseased leaves of T. daniellii from the Arboretum and Wildlife unit. Three of the isolates were identified as Rhizoctonia solani while the fourth isolate was unidentified. Further research endeavours are recommended to determine the pathogen responsible for the disease and to devise effective control and prevention strategies.