Fungitoxic activity of extracts from Azadirachta indica and Xylopia aethiopica on Colletotrichum lindemuthianum in cowpea

Hot water and oil extracts of Azadirachta indica (neem) and Xylopia aethiopica significantly reduced spore germination and growth of Colletotrichum lindemuthianum in vitro. Tests with cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) indicated the extracts applied before or after infection of the plants with Colletotrichum lindemuthianum were also effective in reducing the size of pathogen induced lesions. The fungitoxicity of the extracts from Azadirachta indica and Xylopia aethiopica was greater than that of benomyl.