Identification and Characterization of Fungi Associated with Spots Symptoms On Cowpea Pod in Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria

Abstract

 Fungi associated with spot symptoms on cowpea pods (Vigna unguiculata L Walp) were studied. Commercially prepared Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) it was prepared according to the manufacturer’s instructions; stretomycine sulphate was added to the media. Pieces of spots from cowpea pods were surface sterilized in 0.1% mercury chloride for 3 minute after which they were rinsed 3 times in sterile distilled water and plated aseptically in petri dishes containing PDA. They were incubated at room temperature and observed for the growth of pathogens after every 24 hours for 7 days. The isolated pathogens were then sub cultured on fresh PDA and used for identification. A total of ten different types of spot symptoms reveal eight different fungi.  Fungi isolated include; Rhizoctonia solani, Fusarium equisetum, Macrophomina, Sclerotium, Septoria, Cladosporium, Bispora and Mycogone spp. Out of the eight fungi isolated Rhizoctonia solani has the highest percentage occurrence of 38.5% followed by Sclerotium sp which has a percentage occurrence of 15.4%, the remaining six fungi isolated have the same percentage occurrence of 7.7%.