The Effect of Whey, Azadirachta indica, and Powdered Whole Milk on Monilinia fructicola

Evelyn Plakal

School Name

Spring Valley High School

Grade Level

10th Grade

Presentation Topic

Botany

Presentation Type

Non-Mentored

Abstract

Throughout the United States of America, stone fruits like nectarine, peach, apricot, are an important component of the fruit economy, particularly in South Carolina and Georgia. Unfortunately, during pre-harvest, harvest, and post-harvest seasons, these fruits frequently contract Monilinia fructicola (brown rot producing fungi). A potential method of eradicating Monilinia fructicola was proposed using whey, powdered whole milk, Azadirachta indica oil, and a combination of all three substances. It was hypothesized, if the 2% concentration of the combined mixture of solutes is added to the Monilinia fructicola, then the number of fungi spores will decrease the most due to the mixture having the beneficial characteristics of all 3 substances, thus eliminating the fungi most effectively. The fungi was cultured on petri dishes for 5-9 days. After, the cultures were subcultured into the remaining petri dishes. 9 days later, the fungi spores were counted using a microscope, hemocytometer, and fungi counter. Data were recorded, and 2% concentrations (v/v, w/v) of the treatments were created. After 9 days, the treatments were applied and data were collected again. Statistically significant results (t(29)=17.6244, p < 0.001; t(29)=18.9747, p <0.001); t(29)=22.9349, p < 0.001; t(29)=28.9039, p < 0.001) were found between the following groups (before and after): control, whey, powdered whole milk, Azadirachta indica oil, and combination. The combination inhibited the growth of the fungi most significantly (t(29)=28.9039, p < 0.001) (Before: M=430600000, SD=80565501.3; After: M=6600000, SD=5035049.57) supporting the hypothesis.

Location

Furman Hall 106

Start Date

3-28-2020 10:00 AM

Presentation Format

Oral and Written

Group Project

No

COinS
 
Mar 28th, 10:00 AM

The Effect of Whey, Azadirachta indica, and Powdered Whole Milk on Monilinia fructicola

Furman Hall 106

Throughout the United States of America, stone fruits like nectarine, peach, apricot, are an important component of the fruit economy, particularly in South Carolina and Georgia. Unfortunately, during pre-harvest, harvest, and post-harvest seasons, these fruits frequently contract Monilinia fructicola (brown rot producing fungi). A potential method of eradicating Monilinia fructicola was proposed using whey, powdered whole milk, Azadirachta indica oil, and a combination of all three substances. It was hypothesized, if the 2% concentration of the combined mixture of solutes is added to the Monilinia fructicola, then the number of fungi spores will decrease the most due to the mixture having the beneficial characteristics of all 3 substances, thus eliminating the fungi most effectively. The fungi was cultured on petri dishes for 5-9 days. After, the cultures were subcultured into the remaining petri dishes. 9 days later, the fungi spores were counted using a microscope, hemocytometer, and fungi counter. Data were recorded, and 2% concentrations (v/v, w/v) of the treatments were created. After 9 days, the treatments were applied and data were collected again. Statistically significant results (t(29)=17.6244, p < 0.001; t(29)=18.9747, p <0.001); t(29)=22.9349, p < 0.001; t(29)=28.9039, p < 0.001) were found between the following groups (before and after): control, whey, powdered whole milk, Azadirachta indica oil, and combination. The combination inhibited the growth of the fungi most significantly (t(29)=28.9039, p < 0.001) (Before: M=430600000, SD=80565501.3; After: M=6600000, SD=5035049.57) supporting the hypothesis.