Vol. 6 No. 1 (2023): The Reality of Women in Science

• Terna Tersoo Paul
  Department of Plant Science and Biotechnology, Federal University of Lafia, PMB 146, Lafia, Nasarawa State, Nigeria
  




• Ugochukwu Victor Joseph
  Department of Plant Science and Biotechnology, Federal University of Lafia, PMB 146, Lafia, Nasarawa State, Nigeria
  




• Aleke Peace Ukamaka
  Department of Plant Science and Biotechnology, Federal University of Lafia, PMB 146, Lafia, Nasarawa State, Nigeria
  




• Emmanuel Immaculate Chisom
  Department of Plant Science and Biotechnology, Federal University of Lafia, PMB 146, Lafia, Nasarawa State, Nigeria
  




• Kur Aondoaver Vincent
  Department of Plant Science and Biotechnology, Federal University of Lafia, PMB 146, Lafia, Nasarawa State, Nigeria
  




• Ishaya Reni
  Department of Plant Science and Biotechnology, Federal University of Lafia, PMB 146, Lafia, Nasarawa State, Nigeria
  




• Odeh Onwanyi Cecilia
  Department of Plant Science and Biotechnology, Federal University of Lafia, PMB 146, Lafia, Nasarawa State, Nigeria
  




• Bitrus Joseph Ira
  Department of Plant Science and Biotechnology, Federal University of Lafia, PMB 146, Lafia, Nasarawa State, Nigeria
  




• Jeremiah Henry
  Department of Plant Science and Biotechnology, Federal University of Lafia, PMB 146, Lafia, Nasarawa State, Nigeria
  




• Suleiman Rofiat Muhammed
  Department of Plant Science and Biotechnology, Federal University of Lafia, PMB 146, Lafia, Nasarawa State, Nigeria
  




• Yakubu Latifat Avosuahi
  Department of Plant Science and Biotechnology, Federal University of Lafia, PMB 146, Lafia, Nasarawa State, Nigeria
  




• Omaku Abubakar Tala
  Department of Plant Science and Biotechnology, Federal University of Lafia, PMB 146, Lafia, Nasarawa State, Nigeria
  




• Nyorgwar John Saaondo
  Department of Plant Science and Biotechnology, Federal University of Lafia, PMB 146, Lafia, Nasarawa State, Nigeria
  




• Ugbedeojo Amos
  Department of Plant Science and Biotechnology, Federal University of Lafia, PMB 146, Lafia, Nasarawa State, Nigeria
  

Endophytic colonisation of plant tissues by microbes is an important determinant of plant health and productivity, yet, not much is known about the biological roles of endophytic fungi inhabiting mango leaf tissues. Therefore, a study was carried out to isolate, identify, and evaluate the pathogenicity and biological control potentials of foliar endophytic fungi of Mangifera indica L. (mango). An endophytic fungus isolated from disease-free leaves of mango collected from different parts of Lafia was morphologically identified and subjected to pathogenicity test. Thereafter, the endophyte was screened for biological control potentials using dual culture tests against two pathogenic Colletotrichum species. The endophyte was morphologically identified as A. flavus. Pathogenicity test results showed that the endophytic A. flavus was unable to produce disease symptoms on artificially inoculated mango leaves. Simultaneous pairing of the endophytic A. flavus with pathogenic Colletotrichum nymphaeae and Colletotrichum asianum strains in dual culture tests showed 16.95% and 27.94% radial growth inhibitions of the respective pathogenic fungi. The differences in radial growth inhibition of the pathogens by the endophytic A. flavus were significant (P<0.05). The findings of this study revealed that the endophytic A. flavus from mango leaves was non-pathogenic and also possessed appreciable biological control potentials, requiring further assessment to validate its suitability as a potent biological control agent against fungal pathogens of plants. 

Keywords: Aspergillus Flavus, Biocontrol Agent, Endophytic Fungi, Fungal Pathogens, Mango Leaves.