EVALUATION OF GUAVA (PSIDIUM GUAJAVA) SEEDS AND LEAVES WITH ASSOCIATED MICRO ORGANISMS

ABSTRACT

The study was carried out based on personal observation of two guava plants in Ovia north east LGA to evaluate the leaves and seeds of guava with their associated microorganisms. Samples were collected from two separate locations. The seeds were plated in PDA and NA respectively, pure cultures were sub-cultured from the plated samples, and pure cultures were identified and results gotten from this identification were used to compare the effects of these microorganisms identified in the two separate locations. A total of 3 bacteria and 4 fungi species were identified across both locations. Cuvularia, phoma, lasidopodia and aspergillus species alongside the bacillus sp. were discovered to be pathogenic to the guava plant and were causes of the fruit loss and reduced production observed from the plant. The staphylococcus sp. (Epidermis and Aureus) were identified from the leaves but do not cause any harm to the plant. Both locations had similar and also separate pathogens on its fruits and leaves. General pathogen management (cultural and chemical) should be effected to prevent further damage on these trees.