Evaluation of Banana Waste Leaf Ash as a Sustainable Seed Treatment for Maize: Effective Dosage for Disease Control and Growth Enhancement

Introduction: Conventional seed treatments often depend on synthetic fungicides and insecticides to control seed-borne pathogens during storage and germination. However, the high cost and environmental concerns associated with synthetic pesticides highlight the need for eco-friendly alternatives. This study investigates the potential of banana leaf ash (BLA) as a natural seed treatment. Materials and Methods: Maize seeds were treated with different doses of BLA (5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 and 40 g/kg seed). Treated seeds were evaluated for their ability to control seed-borne diseases and enhance germination parameters. Key measurements included germination rate, shoot and root length and seedling dry weight. Results: ANOVA and DMRT analysis (p ≤ 0.05) revealed that major fungi (Aspergillus niger, Fusarium verticilloides, Rhizopus spp.) and minor fungi (Aspergillus flavus, Curvularia spp.) were effectively controlled by BLA. Disease incidence dropped from approximately 90% in untreated seeds to 20% with 5 g/kg BLA and 3% with 20 g/kg BLA. Germination and growth improved significantly. Root length and dry weight increased 2-3× while shoot length and dry weight rose 1.2-1.4× compared to the control. Discussion: BLA effectively reduced disease incidence and promoted germination at moderate doses. Its alkaline nature likely contributes to antifungal effects. However, excessive application caused phytotoxicity, reducing growth. Conclusion: At optimal doses, BLA offers a sustainable, low-cost alternative for disease control and seedling growth promotion. Higher doses may hinder development, requiring careful application rate selection.