Influence of eco-friendly control strategies on the germination of mycotoxin secreted &lt;i&gt;Fusarium verticillioides&lt;/i&gt; infested maize

O.A Akinbode,K.T Kareem,O.F Oduwaye,A.I Obafemi

doi:10.4314/jasem.v22i10.22

Abstract

Fusarium verticillioides is a major seed borne fungal pathogen of maize causing rots and seedling blight, and secretion of toxigenic compounds in grains. This study aimed at reducing the seedling blight and mycotoxin contamination level of maize caused by F. verticillioides with environmentally friendly antagonistic microorganisms. One gram of ground mycelia of each of the species of Trichoderma, B. subtilis and P. fluorescens was suspended in 100, 200, 300 and 400ml of distilled water to determine the inoculum concentrations. Maize seeds were treated with inoculum and planted at least 2 seeds per pot in replicates of 3 pots. Two grams of ground mycelial mat of the pathogen was added (at planting) per ten (10) kilogram of sterile soil. Germination percentage of these seeds was taken on the 14, 21, and 28 days after planting. Observations were on incidence and severity of the disease, from germination period till harvest. T. pseudokoningii at its C3 gave the best germination percentage, and P. fluorescens inoculum at C2 was the best for the control of the pathogen, which is comparatively effective as Benomyl against F. verticillioides. The use of ecofriendly control alternative like T. pseudokoningii and P. fluorescens should be used to in place Benomyl; it has no residual effect on the environment.Keywords: maize, mycotoxin, biocontrol agents, Fusarium spp

Highlights

Maize (Zea mays L) is the third most important cereal crop in the tropics (CIMMYT, 2000)
The use of environmentally friendly control strategies for the disease management is needed. These are beneficial antagonistic microorganisms isolated from maize rhizosphere to fight against the germination and seedling blight, which are T. harzianum, T. pseudokoningii, P. fluorescens and B. subtilis that were tested in this study to control the F. verticillioides infestation on maize germinability potentials
The C4 of T. pseudokoningii had 60% germination and was weaker in germination compared with the control plants which had 72% germination of maize seeds planted in it

Summary

Introduction

Maize (Zea mays L) is the third most important cereal crop in the tropics (CIMMYT, 2000). Fusarium disease of maize is among the destructive diseases in many areas of the country It reduces crop yield, and its mycotoxin secretion causes food contamination, which makes its consumption poisonous to human and livestock. Its mycotoxin secretion causes food contamination, which makes its consumption poisonous to human and livestock The control of this disease is important to reduce contamination thereby producing cleaner, safer maize seeds; to enhance higher yields and invariably increase the farmers’ income. The use of environmentally friendly control strategies for the disease management is needed These are beneficial antagonistic microorganisms isolated from maize rhizosphere to fight against the germination and seedling blight, which are T. harzianum, T. pseudokoningii, P. fluorescens and B. subtilis that were tested in this study to control the F. verticillioides infestation on maize germinability potentials

Objectives

Results

Conclusion