Maize landrace rhizospheric fungi with biocontrol potential against four different Fusarium species complexes

Abstract

ABSTRACT Maize is an important crop worldwide having vital nutritional, medicinal, and economic significance. It is vulnerable to a broad spectrum of emerging infections and diseases caused by Fusarium species which are collectively termed fusariosis. The negative consequences of fusariosis can stimulate a considerable economic loss in the food chain. With this context, this study evaluated the biological control potential of 127 fungal strains that were sampled from the rhizosphere of five different Mexican maize landraces. Results showed that the strain Trichoderma sp. CM-CNRG 444 was able to inihbit the growth of maize-pathogenic strains of Fusarium fujikuroi, F. incarnatum-equiseti, F. oxysporum, and F. sambucinum species complexes by colonisation and mycoparasitism on dual culture assays. The colonisation of Trichoderma sp. CM-CNRG 444 in seeds (42.5%), roots (67.5%), and crown tissue (75.5%) during maize germination reduces the tissues rot of Fusarium strains by 50%–100%. Additionally, plants co-inoculated with Trichoderma sp. CM-CNRG 444 and Fusarium strains were statistically similar to the control plants in the number of leaves, root system, stem length, and biomass accumulation. It is concluded that the fungal strain Trichoderma sp. CM-CNRG 444 protects maize seed germination, seedlings and plants development against fusariosis. Based on the findings, Trichoderma sp. CM-CNRG 444 can be used to develop an agent to control fusariosis in maize crop.