Abstract
The objective of this study was to evaluate the transmissibility of F. verticillioides, in corn seeds, when inoculated in different phenological stages. The plants were inoculated with the pathogen at the following stages: V7, V9, R1, R2, R4, and R6. The experiments were conducted in pots, in a completely randomized design, with six replications. The fungus infection rate in the seeds was verified through the health test (Blotter Test). The significance of the contrast between the phenological stages and in the two experiments (rainy season and dry season), and productivity showed plant-seed transmission of F. verticillioides in all phenological stages. The PCR technique was able to reveal up to the lowest level, 1% incidence of F. verticillioides in corn seeds. There was a significant difference between the times of plant inoculation and the incidence of the fungus in the seeds. Plants inoculated in the reproductive phase transmitted F. verticillioides for seeds with the highest rate of infection, in the two experiments, in the rainy season (V7 - 48; V9 - 46; R1 - 77.33; R2 - 84; R4 - 96; R6 - 96.67; and Test - 14.67%), and dry season (V7 - 46.67; V9 - 66; R1 - 75.33; R2 - 95.33; R4 - 98; and R6 - 97.33%). In this way, the present work demonstrated that in the reproductive phenological stages R2, R4, and R6, the corn plant was more susceptible to infection with F. verticillioides, and that it also resulted in a decrease in grain productivity.
Highlights
The DNA of the fungus studied was sequenced and F. verticillioides was found as identified in morphological analysis, confirming 99% of the sequence according to a BLAST/NCBI consultation
PCR technique was able to reveal even the lowest incidence level of F. verticillioides, being able to detect up to 1% of corn seed infestation in the extracted DNA (Figure 2), being the primers sensitive to the point of revealing minimal quantities of the pathogen's genetic material
Influence of F. verticillioides inoculation time in different phenological stages of maize on the severity level of ear rot Analyzing the results of F. verticillioides severity in the ear in two seasons (Figure 3), we found lower severity in V7, V9 and control stages in the rainy season and, in V7, V9, R1, R2, and control stages, in the dry season
Summary
The pathogen Fusarium verticillioides (Saccardo) Nirenberg) is part of the Gibberella fujikuroi complex, which comprises a group of approximately 20 species associated with diseases in maize, for example, and other crops of economic interest. It produces macroconidia and microconidia, constituting an anamorphic state of the order Hypocreales (Walker et al, 2016). These microconidia are produced in large quantities causing corn ear rot, contributing to the high levels of fumonisins (Rosa Junior et al, 2019)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
