From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
A lecturer with Federal University Lokoja (FUL), Prof. Mohammed Nasirudeen-Suleiman, has lamented the destructive effects of Fungi on the nation’s crops with a calle for global intensive study in Mycology (Fungai) in all secondary schools as part of measures to curb global food deprivation.
Professor Nasirudeen-suleiman with the Department of Botany of FUL, made the call while delivering his Inaugural Lecture titled: “Pathogenic Fungi and Food Deprivation: The Challenges of Plants Pathologists,” held at the FFUL’s Auditorium, Adankolo Campus, Lokoja, Thursday.
He said, “Fungi, until recently, are highly under reported, marginalized and totally ignored in secondary schools to the extent that only plants and animals are being studied leaving a large number of students ignorant of a whole Fungi kingdom.”
“In fungal/pathology science, we see God’s touch, wisdom, wonders and Grace, therefore, I am making a case for a global intensive study of mycology in all secondary schools because a secret of our living may be there, ” he said.
While warning on effects of chemicals being applied by farmers to checkmate pest, insects and plant diseases, he regretted that they (farmers) have limited resources and lack the technical expertise required to handle imported fungicides and pesticides which have the disadvantage of being denatured under high tropical temperature.
“Historical success recorded in the use of Azadirachtin, Nimbin Nbidol and Secomeliacin, Nicotine from tobacco and Pyrethin from Chrysanthemum flowers as bio-pesticides and fungicides four years ago in FUL Biological Science Lab; have spurred Scientists to alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids and other second compounds.
“All these were evolved by the plants over the years to protect themselves against damage by fungi and bacteria. About 400,000 species of tropical flowering plants have medical properties that can be transformed to curb diseases on crops and ultimately prevent food deprivation.
“Secondary metabolites from Vernonia amygdalina cures malaria as antibiotics and increase lactatia in nursing mothers just as essential oil, “citral”, philobotanins from Cymbopogon citratus are anti malaria.
“These natural occurring compounds when used in formulation singly or in combination as fungicides have proved effective, environmentally safe, and easily biodegradable, ” he said.
The inaugural lecturer added, ” there’s no plant that is useless, it’s usage can be for food, medicine or shelter, just as it’s estimated that there are about 500,000 species of plants on Earth with about 10 per cent being used as food by man and animals.”
He noted that a major factor to food deprivation is disease inflicted on plants and it’s products by Pathogenic Fungi in transit and in storage, which could lead to hunger, starvation, nutritional deficiencies and malnutrition with broad impacts on cognitive functioning.
According to him, one major challenge being faced by plant pathologists was the inappropriate plant disease control measure, in vitro or outside the host (takes place in the laboratory) and the in vivo or on the host (takes place on the field).
Nasirudeen-Suleiman, thanked the FUL’s Vice Chancellor, Prof Olayemi Akinwumi and management team for give him the privilege to present the inaugural lecture.
He appealed for funds to equip the university’s lab to commence manufacturing of drugs from the plants.
End.