Displacement of toxigenic Fusarium species by atoxigenic Aspergillus flavus (Aflasafe KE01) application in maize fields in lower Eastern Kenya

Abstract

Maize is grown in areas with environmental conditions that are ideal for growth of most cereal pathogens such as Fusarium fungi. However, there is lack of effective fungicides to control fumonisin producing Fusarium. This study was conducted to determine the efficacy of atoxigenic Aspergillus flavus (Aflasafe KE01) on the population of Fusarium species in maize fields. The study was carried out in four sub counties in lower Eastern Kenya (Kaiti, Kathiani, Nzambani and Wote). Twenty-four maize fields were selected in each sub county where 12 fields were treated with Aflasafe KE01, while 12 fields comprised the untreated controls. Aflasafe KE01 was applied by hand broadcasting in the maize fields two to three weeks before tasselling of maize. Maize grain samples were collected from each field at harvest and ground using a Bunn coffee mill grinder. Fusarium species were isolated from the ground maize using pour plate method following serial dilution on low strength potato dextrose agar (PDA)and Spezieller Nahrstoffarmer. The results showed that application of Aflasafe KE01 effectively displaced toxigenic Fusarium species in maize fields. Maize samples from Aflasafe KE01 treated maize fields recorded significantly lower incidence (41%) of the Fusarium species compared to untreated maize fields (60%) (p≤0.01). These results indicate that Aflasafe KE01 is a potential biopesticide for the biocontrol of Fusarium species in maize. Key words: Aflasafe KE01, atoxigenic Aspergillus sp, Fusarium species, maize.