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ABSTRACT
The study was carried out to determine the microorganisms associated with alligator pepper seeds. It was also done to ascertain the percentage infection of microorganisms on the seeds, isolate and identify microorganisms associated with it. The experiment on the alligator pepper seeds was conducted in the Department of Crop Science Laboratory, University of Benin, Benin City. The seeds were sterilized in a sodium hypochlorite solution, and some of them were treated with Trichoderma. The media was prepared and the seeds were inoculated at four different locations within each petri dish containing molten Agar. It was carried out using Completely Randomized Design in a factorial experiment involving two (2) treatments and six (6) replications.
From this study, there was 100% infection in the treated seeds except plate 3 which had 75% infection for NA. Four microorganisms were identified to be associated with the seeds namely; Edwardsiella tarda, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Enterobacter aerogenes, Proteus vulgaris. The presence of the various microorganisms suggests that alligator pepper may harbor potential beneficial or harmful effects, depending on the specific microorganisms present. Based on the findings of this study, Trichoderma spp. can be used as a biocontrol agent to minimize the pathogenic effects of these identified microorganisms as a case of high incidence could lead to crop failure. Varieties resistant to these microorganisms could also be planted to increase plant success rate and further studies are needed to explore the functional roles of these micro-organisms and their impact on the quality, safety, and health benefit of alligator pepper.
