Abstract

Bagalwa M.*, Rubabura K., Lorena A. C., Masunga L. and Mugisho L.

ABSTRACT

Coffee leaf rust caused by the fungus Hemileia vastatrix is present in the great lake country of Central Africa and in the eastern part of Democratic Republic of Congo. It caused several damages on the coffee production. The phytochemical screening of Myrica salicifolia and Pentas longiflora show secondary metabolites which have fungicidal activity. Experiments were conducted in vivo and in vitro on extract of plants against coffee leaf rust. The spraying of extract of Pentas longiflora and Myrica salicifolia were effective against coffee leaf rust respectively at 100 g/mL in vivo for both extract plants and 50 g/mL for field experiments. Results confirmed that plant extracts such as the extract of Myrica salicifolia and Pentas longiflora can be used as natural fungicides to control Hemileia vastatrix and thus reduce the dependence on the synthetic fungicides such as copper sulfate.