Exploring the Antimicrobial Potential of Carica papaya and Tithonia diversifolia Extracts against Fusarium verticillioides in Maize

Fusarium verticilloides is one of the most common contaminants that reduces the quality and quantity of yield in maize. This study investigates the effectiveness of plant extracts in the management of the leaf spot disease caused by this pathogen in Maize. The biocontrol potentials of aqueous extracts obtained from Tithonia diversifolia and Carica papaya leaves at 25, 50, and 75% concentrations were investigated against pathogenic F. verticillioides. Punctured pots were laid out in a completely randomized design (CRD) in the screenhouse. The treatments are as follows: T1= control (uninoculated maize), T2 = Maize + FV + Cp, T3 = Maize + FV +Td, T4 = Maize +FV +Cp +Td, T5 = Maize + Fv, T6 = Maize +Cp, T7 = Maize+ Td, T8 = Maize+ Cp + Td. The treatments were monitored on maize varieties and repeated thrice. The two extracts were effective against the pathogen in vitro, with Tithonia diversifolia (2.42 cm) producing a more significant effect in suppressing the mycelia growth compared to Carica papaya (2.70cm) and the two combined (2.64 cm). The efficacy of the extracts increased with concentration. Although no significant (p