Abstract
The effect of aqueous extract of Cymbopogon citratus on sorghum seed germination and its efficacy against Phoma sorghina transmission to sorghum vegetative organs and seed were studied in field conditions in 2008–2010. During these years, we also examined the effect of panicle protection on the reduction of P. sorghina infection. The aqueous extract of C. citratus lowers sorghum seed germination compared to untreated seeds, seeds treated with water and those treated with fungicide calthio C. P. sorghina is transmitted to the whole vegetative organs and seed of all the treatments. However, the aqueous extract of C. citratus significantly reduces the transmission of P. sorghina compared to untreated seeds, to seeds treated with water and those treated with fungicide. The protection of sorghum panicles before flowering limits the infection by P. sorghina compared to the panicles not protected.
Acknowledgements
We gratefully acknowledge the Danish International Development Agency through SHIP/UPB and its colleagues for giving necessary facilities to the first author while conducting experiments. We are also thankful to Dr. Dakuyo (Phytofla Banfora) for providing C. citratus leaves.