2.4. In vivo assay
Banana hands (12 fruits per hand) were surface sterilized by
dipping in 1% sodium hypochlorite solution for 3 min, rinsed three
times with sterile distilled water and air-dried at room temperature
on an alcohol-disinfested shelf. Hands were then dipped into a
plastic jar (10 L size) containing 3 L ofC. musaespore suspension for
5 min and covered by plastic sheet. Banana hands were incubated
at room temperature for 24 h to induce appresorial development
(Change et al., 2000). After incubation, the plastic sheets were
removed and banana hands were immersed for 5 min in 10% and
20% (w/v) aqueous plant extracts maintained in a water bath
(Model WNB 10) at room temperature (ca. 20
C), 45
C and 50
C.
The experiment was laid out in a completely randomized design
(CRD) with a factorial combination of treatments (plant extracts
and dipping temperatures) in three replications (banana hands).
The experiment was conducted at room temperature in the
laboratory