An evaluation of three plant extracts, Parkia biglobosa, Moringa oleifera and Daniellia oliveri in the control of fungal pathogens isolated from garri (fried mashed fermented cassava) in Makurdi was conducted. The fungal pathogens isolated from the garri samples were Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger, Botryodiplodia theobromae and Aspergillus fumigatus. Water and ethanol extracts of the plant species at concentrations of 20%, 40%, 60%, 80% and 100% were tested against the fungal isolates in vitro. The inhibitory effects of water extracts of Moringa oleifera, Parkia biglobosa and Daniellia oliveri at 100% on all test organisms ranged from 1.15 to 4.95cm and at 20% it ranged from 3.50 to 8.00cm. The inhibitory effect of ethanol extract of Moringa oleifera, Parkia biglobosa and Daniellia oliveri at 100% on all test organisms ranged from 0.70 to 4.00cm and at 20% it ranged from 2.50 to 9.50cm. The antifungal activity of the extracts (water and ethanol) increased with increase in concentration. Analysis of Variance revealed higher significant inhibitory effects of both water and ethanol extracts at 100% (2.02cm) and (2.50cm) respectively and least inhibitory effect at 20% (6.06cm) and (7.08cm) respectively for most fungal isolates. There was no significant difference in the grand mean inhibitory effect of both water and ethanol extract on the test fungi at P = 0.05. The extracts of Parkia biglobosa, Moringa oleifera and Daniellia oliveri are potentially useful antifungal agents, inhibiting fungal growth at all concentrations.
