Abstract

Most hybrid maize samples from three years of field experiments in Zambia contained Fusarium spp., but there were differences between hybrid susceptibility in two agroecological zones. Mean annual kernel infection ranged from 14 to 63% in the medium rainfall zone (MRZ). In the high rainfall zone (HRZ), the highest mean annual infection recorded was 18%. A Partial Least Square (PLS) analysis showed negative relationship between Fusarium kernel infection and rainy days before midsilk and positive relationship between Fusarium kernel infection and number of dry weeks between planting and midsilk. Fusarium verticillioides was most frequently isolated, and the highest incidences and levels were found in the MRZ. Other species detected included: Fusarium subglutinans, Fusarium oxysporum, Fusarium graminearum, Fusarium compactum, Fusarium equiseti, Fusarium proliferatum, Fusarium nygamai, Fusarium semitectum and Fusarium anthophilum. This is the first report of the presence of F. compactum, F. nygamai and F. anthophilum in maize in Zambia.

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