In vitro assay of Bidens pilosa Linn. aqueous extract against postharvest fungal

A bioassay was conducted to assess the antifungal effects of the different concentrations of Biden pilosa Linn. aqueous extract against fungal pathogens isolated from corn and peanut seeds. The assay employed the disk diffusion technique to determine the effects of the diffusible metabolites from B. pilosa on the growth of the fungal species on potato dextrose agar (PDA). The aqueous extract showed significant activity against Aspergillus flavus, A. niger, Fusarium sp., and Penicillium sp. from corn seeds. The best antifungal activity was observed in A. niger with inhibitory zones as wide as 19.72mm in diameter. On the other hand, the fungal isolates from peanut namely, A. flavus, A. niger, Penicillium sp., and Rhizopus stolonifer showed sensitivity to the aqueous extract from B. pilosa. The best antifungal activity was recorded in Penicillium sp. with the widest zone of inhibition of 24.87mm at 24 hours after incubation (HAI). This in vitro study, therefore, confirms that the B. pilosa aqueous extract inhibits the growth of fungal species associated with corn and peanut seeds.