Abstract
Mycotoxins are harmful to health and mainly arise from ear rots, affecting maize in the field. This work analysed the effect of the cropping system on ear rot and final effect on mycotoxins from four sub-counties (districts) of western Kenya, Butere, Kisumu, Siaya and Vihiga, where plots comprising maize planted either as pure stand or in mixture with legumes, predominantly common bean treated as “Maize Monocrop” (MM), were used as control for those of climate-smart push-pull strategy treated as “Push-Pull” (PP). Symptomatic and asymptomatic maize ear samples were analysed for total aflatoxin (AF), total fumonisins (FB), deoxynivalenol (DON) and zearalenone (ZEA) using Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Cropping system had very high significant effect on ear rot incidence and severity. In general, low incidence was observed in PP (7.3 %) than MM (20.8 %). Similar trend was also observed on ear rot severity in PP and MM as follows: diplodia (1.15 and 1.85), gibberella (0.62 and 0.84), aspergillus (0.09 and 0.25), fusarium (0.19 and 0.68) and penicilium (0.03 and 0.05). A high proportion of ZEA (100%), AF (93.3%), DON (80.0%) and FB (65.9%) were observed in symptomatic samples than in ZEA (90.3%), DON (51.6%), FB (38.7%) and AF (3.2%) in asymptomatic samples. Low ear rot incidence and severity was more in PP than MM, and proportion of mycotoxins on asymptomatic ears; suggesting the potential of cropping system in managing ear rots and ultimately limiting mycotoxins. Thus the study highlighted the need to adopt cropping systems to deal with mycotoxins, and also recommends surveillance and awareness on emerging mycotoxins: ZEA and DON. Key words: Push-pull, maize monocrop, aflatoxins, fumonisins, deoxynivalenol, zearalenone.
Highlights
Maize ear rots are fungal infections with worldwide distribution and presence in all agro-ecologies where maize is grown (Dragich and Nelson, 2014)
This work analysed the effect of the cropping system on ear rot and final effect on mycotoxins from four subcounties of western Kenya, Butere, Kisumu, Siaya and Vihiga, where plots comprising maize planted either as pure stand or in mixture with legumes, predominantly common bean treated as “Maize Monocrop” (MM), were used as control for those of climate-smart push-pull strategy treated as “PushPull” (PP)
Symptomatic and asymptomatic maize ear samples were analysed for total aflatoxin (AF), total fumonisins (FB), deoxynivalenol (DON) and zearalenone (ZEA) using Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent assay (ELISA)
Summary
Maize ear rots are fungal infections with worldwide distribution and presence in all agro-ecologies where maize is grown (Dragich and Nelson, 2014). Studies have directly linked mycotoxin reduction to removal of fungal ear or kernel rot (Balconi et al, 2014), making sorting a primary tool for management of mycotoxins and quality enhancement of the harvested crop (Wild et al, 2016). Since ear rot attacks begin in the field, pre-harvest measures can ensure achievement of good yields and grain quality in terms of mycotoxin reduction (Munkvold, 2003). Gibberella and diplodia ear rots, caused by Fusarium graminearum and Stenocarpella maydis, respectively, are encouraged by high rainfall, susceptible crop genotypes, continuous maize cultivation and poor crop residue management (Marasas, 2001). Reduction in insect damage has resulted in reduced ear rots and mycotoxin attacks. These measures are aimed to control damage to crops by insect pests, contributing to the management of ear rots and mycotoxin attacks on harvested crop (Munkvold et al, 1997)
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