Citrus Extract Found Potent in the Control of Seed-Borne Fungal Pathogens of Pearl Millet—A Recommendation for Farmers’ Seed Saving Systems
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Date
2023
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Horticulturae
Abstract
Seed saving is crucial to ensure seed and food security, especially in developing countries.
In Ghana, about 90% of pearl millet farmers utilise farmer-saved seed for production. Such seeds
usually have a low germination rate, and may carry important seed-borne pathogens. In this study,
the quality of farmer-saved seeds and the potential of botanicals to control seed-borne fungi were
examined. A structured questionnaire was administered to 120 farmers from Garu, Bongo and
Kassana-Nankana districts in Ghana. During the survey, 60 samples of farmer-saved seed were
obtained for seed quality evaluation. Aqueous extracts of neem (Azadirachta indica) and citrus (Citrus
sinensis) were prepared as seed treatments compared with a control. Fourteen (14) fungal species
were associated with the seed samples, but the four dominant ones were Curvularia spp. (62%),
Talaromyces spp. (53%), Aspergillus spp. (52%) and Exserohilum spp. (42%). The application of citrus
extract inhibited fungal incidence (15–31.7%) compared to neem extract (33.3–93.3%) and the control
(96.7–98.3%). The application of citrus extract resulted in a higher (74.7–82.8%) field germination rate
compared to neem extract (62.3–73.2%) and the control (65.5–69.2%). The citrus extract was the most
efficient treatment in reducing the incidence of fungi and enhancing the seed germination and vigour
of pearl millet.
Description
Research Article
Keywords
seed systems, pearl millet, farmer-saved seed, seed quality, citrus extract
Citation
Citation: Anafo, M.A.; Sugri, I.; Asungre, P.A.; Ankamah-Yeboah, T.; Eleblu, J.S.Y.; Danquah, E.Y. Citrus Extract Found Potent in the Control of Seed-Borne Fungal Pathogens of Pearl Millet—A Recommendation for Farmers’ Seed Saving Systems. Horticulturae 2023, 9, 1075. https://doi.org/10.3390/ horticulturae9101075