Assessment of Erythrophleum suaveolens (Brenan) leaves and stem bark water extracts antifungal potency on Aspergillus flavus incidence from maize (Zea mays L.) seeds

Aspergillus flavus has been associated with fungi attacks on stored maize seeds. Erythrophleum suaveolens had been reported to have antifungal properties which could protect some crops against fungi attack. This study aimed at evaluating the antifungal protection potency of both water extract of E. suaveolens leaves and stem bark on maize seeds varieties from A. flavus attack post six months of its application. Water extract of E. suaveolens leaves and stem barks (1, 10 and 100% concentration) were independently applied on four different varieties of maize seeds (OBA 98, OBA Super 6, SAMAZ 52 and SAMAZ 47) and stored alongside maize seeds without the extract application for 6 months. The fungal growth determination was carried out on Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) media plates by placing maize seeds from both the group to which the extract was applied and those without the extract and incubating at 28 °C for 48 hours. The results indicated that all the maize seeds that the E. suaveolens leaves and stem bark water extract was applied at a varying concentration (1, 10 and 100%), recorded no growth of A. flavus unlike the maize seeds without the water extracts application which shows the incidence of A. flavus growth. In conclusion, E. suaveolens leaves and stem bark water extracts under varying concentration of 1, 10 and 100% had demonstrated to be an effective antifungal agent against A. flavus even after 6 months post application.