@article{article_1497826, title={Antimycotic Potency of Lantana camara, Alchornea cordifolia, and Tabernaemontana pachysiphon against the Anthracnose Pathogen Colletotrichum destructivum}, journal={European Journal of Biology}, volume={84}, pages={20–29}, year={2025}, DOI={10.26650/EurJBiol.2025.1497826}, author={Enyiukwu, David Nwazuo and Amadıoha, Anderson Chidi}, keywords={Biopesticides, Colletotrichum destructivum, Lantana camara, Alchornea cordifolia, Tabernaemonta pachysiphon, Anthracnose}, abstract={Objective: Cowpeas are important components of tropical dishes. Attacks of anthracnose (Colletotrichum destructivum) cause huge yield losses on the crop. Antimicrobial resistance, and mammalian toxicity of many synthetic fungicides, have spurred search for alternative plant-based pesticides. This study therefore, assessed the antifungal effectiveness of fractions of Alchornea cordifolia, Lantana camara and Tabernaemontana pachysiphon against C. desructivum, and their phytochemical constituents. Materials and Methods: Methanol extracts of the test plant materials were fractionated in a column with solvents of varying polarity. Each fraction was tested against growth and spore germination of the pathogen using poison bait technique. The experiment was set up in a CRD consisting of 31 treatments replicated 3 times. The phytochemical determinations of the fractions were carried out using standard spectrophotometric analysis. Results: Fractions of L. camara, recorded the highest spore germination and radial growth inhibitions (54.25-73.13 % and 60.12-78.81 %) followed by T. pachysiphon (29.16-62.12 % and 32.93-66.05 %) and lastly, A. cordifolia (21.31-49.18 % and 38.00-54.55 %) respectively. Generally, their fungitoxicity was L. camara > T. pachysiphon >A. cordifolia. The total phenolic and tannins contents ranged from (623-980 and (313-529 GAE/g of extract) respectively, total alkaloids content (191-343 AE/g of extract) and total flavonoids contents were (106-701 mg rutin/g extract). Conclusion: The fractions of L. camara (L₆₈, L₅₆, L₄₂ and L₄) and, T. pachysiphon fractions (B₆₀, B₆₃ and B₈₇) demonstrated the highest levels of mycotoxicity. Hence, characterizing these fractions for eco-friendly antifungals in the control of C. destructivum is highly recommended to increase food-legume production.}, number={1}, publisher={Istanbul University}, organization={Nil}