INVESTIGATION OF THE MICROORGANISMS ASSOCIATED WITH SOURSOP SEEDS (Annona muricata).
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Abstract
This study was designed to evaluate the microorganisms associated with soursop seeds obtained from New Benin market, Benin City. The objectives of the study were to ascertain the percentage of infection of microorganism associated with soursop seeds; isolate and identify microorganisms associated with soursop seeds, and determine the microbial diversity associated with soursop seeds. The experiment was carried out in the Department of Crop Science Laboratory, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Benin, Edo State. The Incubation Technique (Agar plate method) was employed during the course of the study. Soursop seeds
(seedcoat and endosperm) were chopped into tiny bits, surface sterilized, and placed on filter paper to drain off moisture, and cultured with Potato Dextrose Agar and nutrient agar (PDA and NA). Microbial identifications were done using morphological and biochemical tests for bacteria, while microscopic features examination was carried out for fungi. During the course of the study which lasted for 9 weeks, three (3) bacteria species (Proteus sp., Streptococcus sp., and Bacillus sp.) and three (3) fungi species (Aspergillus sp., Phoma sp., and Yeast cell) were isolated from the seed of soursop. Results of the study showed that Aspergillus sp. Phoma sp. Yeast cell, Proteus sp. streptococcus sp. and Bacillus sp., known to be pathogenic, were disseminated predominantly by seeds, and was observed that the level of bacteria infection was higher in seed coat when compared to endosperm while the level of fungi infection was higher in the endosperm when compared to the seed coat. The incidence of bacteria and fungal organisms on the seed parts of soursop has been demonstrated by this study. High incidence of some of these organisms can result in far reaching consequences such as total crop failure. It was therefore recommended to carry out seed tests by agar plate method (Incubation Technique). This is because the agar plate method provides an efficient tool for the quick identification of specific seed infections; plant pathogen management should be carried out in form of plant products (plant extract) that show
good bioactivity against bacterial and fungal isolates associated with soursop seed or other related crops.
(seedcoat and endosperm) were chopped into tiny bits, surface sterilized, and placed on filter paper to drain off moisture, and cultured with Potato Dextrose Agar and nutrient agar (PDA and NA). Microbial identifications were done using morphological and biochemical tests for bacteria, while microscopic features examination was carried out for fungi. During the course of the study which lasted for 9 weeks, three (3) bacteria species (Proteus sp., Streptococcus sp., and Bacillus sp.) and three (3) fungi species (Aspergillus sp., Phoma sp., and Yeast cell) were isolated from the seed of soursop. Results of the study showed that Aspergillus sp. Phoma sp. Yeast cell, Proteus sp. streptococcus sp. and Bacillus sp., known to be pathogenic, were disseminated predominantly by seeds, and was observed that the level of bacteria infection was higher in seed coat when compared to endosperm while the level of fungi infection was higher in the endosperm when compared to the seed coat. The incidence of bacteria and fungal organisms on the seed parts of soursop has been demonstrated by this study. High incidence of some of these organisms can result in far reaching consequences such as total crop failure. It was therefore recommended to carry out seed tests by agar plate method (Incubation Technique). This is because the agar plate method provides an efficient tool for the quick identification of specific seed infections; plant pathogen management should be carried out in form of plant products (plant extract) that show
good bioactivity against bacterial and fungal isolates associated with soursop seed or other related crops.
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