Antifungal Effect of Aloe-Vera Gel on Fungal Organisms Associated with Yam (Dioscorea Rotundata, Poir) Rot

Investigations were carried out to test the potency of Aloe vera gel extract on fungal organisms associated with yam rot. These fungi were isolated and identified as Fusarium oxysporium Schlech ex. Fr., Rhizopus oryzae, Went, Botryodiplodia theobromae Pat and Fusarium solani. Mart sacc. Pathogenicity test was carried out to confirm these organisms as the pathological agents of the yam rot. The Aloe vera gel at the different concentrations of 25, 50 and 100% did not inhibit the growth of these fungi when tested for its antifungal potency, p = 0.05. The result of this study showed that Aloe vera gel did not actually inhibit fungal growth as the there was progression in the growth and development of the fungi.