EFFICACY OF CERTAIN FUNGICIDES AGAINST SEED-BORNE FUNGI OF AFRICAN YAM BEAN (SPHENOSTYLIS-STENOCARPA (HOCHST-EX-RICH,A.) HARMS) SEEDS

Ten fungicides (calixin, ceresan, dithane M-45, maneb, thioral, fernasan-D, captan, demosan, bayleton and benlate) were evaluated for their efficiency in controlling seed-borne fungi of African yam bean seeds and in enhancing seed germination, tuber and seed yield. These fungicides applied as dry seed treatment proved effective in reducing the incidence of most of the seed-borne fungi. Percentage seed germination, seedling emergence and seed and tuber yields of African yam bean were increased to a significant level in comparison with the untreated seeds in the two samples. Ceresan, calixin, bayleton, captan and dithane M-45 at 3 g/kg of seed proved most effective in reducing seed-borne fungi and in increasing seed germination, seedling emergence and yield. The highest concentration (3 g/kg) tested tended to be most effective for all the fungicides.