Available online Apr 30, 2026.

[ Original ] Volume 32, Issue 2, 2026, Pages 305-316

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Abstract

Vegetables are an essential source of dietary fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, as well as a key income source for farmers in Nigeria. However, wet rot disease caused by Choanephora cucurbitarum (Berkeley & Ravenel) Thaxter poses a major threat to their production. This study investigated the effect of C. cucurbitarum infection on peroxidase activity in okra (Abelmoschus esculentus), maize (Zea mays), groundnut (Arachis hypogaea), and melon (Cucumis melo) in Calabar, Nigeria. The causal pathogen was isolated from infected plant tissues and characterized based on its cultural and morphological features. Healthy plants were inoculated with C. cucurbitarum using a millet substrate, while uninoculated plants served as controls. The effects of infection on growth parameters such as plant height, number of leaves, leaf area, fresh weight, and dry weight were assessed, alongside the determination of peroxidase activity in both infected and control plants. Results revealed that C. cucurbitarum infection significantly reduced growth parameters and peroxidase activity in all test crops compared with controls (P≤ 0.05), with reductions varying among species. Maize and groundnut exhibited the highest peroxidase activity, while melon and okra showed the lowest, indicating possible differences in host defense responses. The findings confirm the pathogenic potential of C. cucurbitarum on multiple crop species and highlight the role of peroxidase as a biochemical marker of plant defense against wet rot disease. This study provides insight on the physiological impact of C. cucurbitarum infection and emphasized the need for integrated management strategies to mitigate on vegetable and field crop production in tropical regions.

Keywords

Abelmoschus esculentus, Arachis hypogaea, Choanephora cucurbitarum, Cucumis melo, peroxidase activity, Zea mays.,

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