Kg-1 Grain Research Articles

The joint action effects of bioprotective agents on life table indices of Trogoderma granarium Everts (Coleoptera: Dermestidae)

Using nature-based substances (diatomaceous earth) and entomopathogenic fungi as grain bioprotective factors in a mixed mode is imperative to manage stored product pests in terms of preserving food safety. Trogoderma granariumEverts (Coleoptera: Dermestidae) biological traits and life table indices of parent and progeny were assessed after exposure toBeauveria bassiana(strain DE) (Hypocreales) dry conidia (LD50 = 295.3 mg conidia kg-1 grain), low lethal dose (mg dust kg-1 grain) of diatomaceous earth formulations including Sayan® (LD25 = 4439.5), and Celite® 610 (LD25 = 992) and their binary mixtures. According to the lethal dose ratio test (LD50), the insecticidal activity of Celite® 610 has 4.47 times more than Sayan®. Nearly all binary mixes exhibited synergistic effects, excluding the last dose of the fungus (LD90), which additively interacted. However, totalpre-adults (days), adults' longevity, and reproductive performance of the beetle were decreased drastically, particularly in a combination of LD50B. bassiana + LD25Celite®610. Besides, the vital progeny population's indices, such as intrinsic rate of increase (r), finite rate of increase (λ), net reproductive rate (R0), and gross reproduction rate (GRR), all were decreased similarly. The lowest r (-0.0004 day −1) and R0 (0.968 offspring per individual) were found in the B. bassiana mixture with a low-lethal dose of Celite® 610. The male-biased sex ratio was notably established after adults' exposure to binary mixtures. Our results demonstrated that both parent and offspring generation of T. granarium incur fitness costs through exposure tobioprotectivesubstancesand especially their mixed modes, resulting in effective suppressing of the adult populations.

Effect of foliar application of zinc on biofortified rice (Oryza sativa L.)

A field experiment was conducted to study the comparative performance of zinc in biofortified rice and their effect on yield attributes, yield and zinc concentration of rice at BAU farm, Sabour in Randomized Block Design replicated thrice during Kharif season of 2021-22. The variety used was Sabour Aaayush. The soil of the experimental plot was silt loam having pH 7.7, organic carbon 0.53%, Low in available Nitrogen (159.88 kg/ha), Phosphorus (26.94 kg P2O5/ha), Potassium (196.69 kg K2O/ha) and initial soil Zn-1.0 mg/kg of soil. The recommended dose of fertilizers i.e. 100-40-20 kg N- P2O5- K2O/ha was applied. In addition to these fertilizers 25 kg zinc sulphate was applied as basal and 0.5% zinc sulphate used as foliar spray at pre flowering and milking stage of rice. The experimental results revealed that RDF (100:40:20)+25 kg/ha zinc sulphate as basal+0.5% zinc sulphate spray as foliar application at pre flowering and milking stage was the best treatment and recorded significantly better values for yield attributes (74.74 grains per panicles,270.33 panicles per m2, 30.18 g test weight),higher grain yield (4.96 t/ha) and higher concentration (30.9 and 91.8mg kg-1 grain and straw respectively) and uptake of Zn in grain (153.3 g ha-1) and in straw (455.2 g ha-1) of bio fortified rice than soil application alone and single spray of Zn and most other treatments. This study brought out that adequate soil application of Zn sulphate followed by its two foliar applications is the best approach.

Plummeting global warming potential by chemicals interventions in irrigated rice: A lab to field assessment

Methane (CH4) emissions are responsible for the higher global warming potential of rice cultivation. There are scattered reports on the use of chemical interventions for reducing CH4 emissions from rice. A laboratory study was carried out to estimate the CH4 mitigation potential of oxygen releasing chemicals such as magnesium peroxide (MgO2) and calcium peroxide (CaCO2), chelating agent ethylene diamine tetra acetic acid (EDTA), nitrification inhibitors thiourea and neem oil, limus (urease inhibitors), phosphogypsum (PG) a byproduct of phosphate fertilizer industry and ammonium sulfate (AS). The cumulative CH4 emission from soil reduced by 2.0–32.3% under the different treatments during the 45 days’ incubation study. Subsequently, four chemicals having the highest CH4 reduction potential i.e. PG, EDTA, AS, and MgO2 were further evaluated for the mitigation of CH4 and their concurrent impact on nitrous oxide (N2O) emission in a two-year experiment growing rice. PG, EDTA, AS, and MgO2 significantly (p = 0.0025) decreased CH4 emissions by 9.3−27.5% as compared to the control. The cumulative N2O emission were significantly lower by 13.9% under PG as compared to control. The global warming potential decreased by 6.8% with MgO2 to 23.6% with PG. The grain yield increased by 3.1–11.2% under the different treatments. The greenhouse gas intensity (GHGI) was the highest in control (0.309 kg CO2 eq. kg-1 grain yield) and lowest in PG (0.212 kg CO2 eq. kg-1 grain yield). The findings suggest that PG, EDTA, AS, and MgO2 can be used to plummet the global warming potential of irrigated rice soils without any yield penalty. More research is required to be undertaken to evaluate the impact of these chemicals from the perspective of food security in the farmers’ fields.

English

Maize (Zea mays L.) is a staple food crop in Malawi, with average yields of 1.8 -2.2 t ha-1 compared to potential yields of 5 to 10 t ha-1. In some areas, soil acidity is a serious constraint in crop production. The current recommendation is to apply 2.0 t ha-1 of lime as pre-plant broadcast and incorporated into soils with pHW < 5.5. A pilot study was conducted during 2015/2016 season at Bunda Campus (14° 35 S’;  33° 50 E’) to evaluate the response of reduced lime application rates of 0, 100, 250 and 500 kg ha-1 applied by  point placement or dollop method (mirodosing) in comparison to recommendation pre-plant broadcast application. A uniform fertilizer application of 69:23:0+4S was made on all plots. Gross Margin (GM) analysis, Value Cost Ratio (VCR) and Benefit-Cost Ratio (BCR) were undertaken. A gross Margin analysis was done using prevailing input/out values of 2019 at exchange rate of Malawi Kwacha, MK 745 = 1USD. Results showed that the ‘no lime’ control (4.01 t ha-1) gave the lowest grain yield and was significantly (P<0.05) out-yielded by the rest of the treatments. The highest yield of 5.75 t ha-1 was observed from the 500 kg ha-1 application, while the recommended control of 2t/ha yielded 4.90 t ha-1. The BCR was >1.0 for all treatments at two price scenarios of US$0.201 kg-1 and US$0.268 kg-1 grain, but >2.0 only for 100, 250 and 500 kg ha-1 lime application rates. VCR ranged from 4.4 to 10.4, except for 2 t ha-1 treatment which had 0.78 and 1.05 at US$0.201 and US$0.268 kg-1 grain price, respectively.  The results demonstrated that there is potential in reduced lime application rates to increase yield of maize by microdosing of agricultural lime. This study has provided a solid basis for wider evaluation of the concepts for subsequent rolling out to famers. Key words: Dolomitic lime, soil acidity, microdose applications, aglime profitability. &nbsp

Evaluating the combination of Metarhizium anisopliae and an enhanced form of diatomaceous earth (Grain-Guard) for the environmentally friendly control of stored grain pests.

Stored grain pests cause great damage to various grain products, and protection against these pests is currently based on synthetic insecticides and fumigants. As a result, these chemicals cause problems, including grain contamination with chemical residues and the development of resistance by insect pests to these chemicals. Therefore, to combat this issue, in the present study, an enhanced form of diatomaceous earth (DE), Grain-Guard, and Metarhizium anisopliae (Metschnikoff) Sorokin (Ascomycota: Sordariomycetes) were evaluated alone and in combination against adults of Liposcelis paeta (Pearman) (Psocoptera: Liposcelididae), Cryptolestes ferrugineus (Stephens) (Coleoptera: Laemophloeidae), Rhyzopertha dominica (F.) (Coleoptera: Bostrychidae), and Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae). M. anisopliae was used at a rate of 1.7 × 104 conidia kg-1 grain alone as well as with two doses of DE (25 and 50ppm) on wheat under different exposure time courses (4, 7, and 14days). It is worth mentioning that the combination of M. anisopliae and DE was highly effective against the adults of L. paeta, C. ferrugineus, R. dominica, and T. castaneum after 14days of exposure. When DE and M. anisopliae were applied alone, DE showed more effectiveness than fungal conidia. Progeny emergence was decreased when modified DE was applied at a high dose rate with the fungus and suppressed at a low dose. The cadavers of all species in the trials showed a maximum percentage of mycosis, and sporulation (conidia/ml) also showed the same result when the fungus was tested alone, while low mycosis and sporulation were achieved under the application of a mixture with a high dose of modified DE. Our findings indicate the best possible combination of DE (at low dose rates) along with a fungus that might contribute to lowering health and environmental risks.

Effect of soil tillage and N fertilization on N2O mitigation in maize in the Brazilian Cerrado.

The management system of soils and nitrogen application can cause impacts on the N2O emissions produced by the agricultural sector. In the establishment of practices of greenhouse gas mitigation for this sector, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of soil tillage, with and without N fertilization, on N2O emissions from Oxisols under rainfed maize in the Brazilian Cerrado region. The managements were of monoculture maize under conventional tillage (CT) and no-tillage (NT), with (1) and without (0) application of N fertilizer (0 and 257 kg N ha-1). From November 2014 to October 2015, gas emissions were measured. The soil and climate variables were measured and related to the N2O fluxes. In the N-fertilized treatments, N2O fluxes were higher (P < 0.01), ranging from -21 μg m-2 h-1 to 548 μg m-2 h-1 N2O under conventional tillage and from -21 μg m-2 h-1 to 380 μg m-2 h-1 N2O under no-tillage, compared with -6 to 93 μg m-2 h-1 N2O from systems without N application. There was a combined effect of mineral N and water-filled pore space for most N2O fluxes. The emission factors of N2O during maize cultivation were lower than the standard factor (1%) established by the International Panel of Climate Change. During the plant crop cycle, 30% less N2O was emitted from the N-fertilized no-tillage than from the conventional tillage. For the total cumulative N2O (crop cycle + fallow), the N2O emissions from NT1 and CT1 were not different, but 10× higher than those from the respective crops without N fertilization. To the emissions per unit of grain yield, CT1 and NT1 emitted 769 and 391 mg N2O kg-1 grain produced, respectively, and NT1 was most efficient in fertilizer-into-product conversion. Under maize cultivation, the soil acted as N2O source, regardless of the management.

Estimation of methane and nitrous oxide emission from wetland rice paddies with reference to global warming potential.

Methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) are two important greenhouse gases (GHG) and contribute largely to global warming and climate change. The impact of physiological characteristics of rice genotypes on global warming potential (GWP) and greenhouse gas intensity (GHGI) is not well documented. A 2-year field experiment was conducted with eight summer rice varieties: Dinanath, Joymoti, Kanaklata, Swarnabh, IR 64, Tapaswami (modern varieties), Number 9, and Jagilee Boro (indigenous varieties) for two successive seasons (December-June, 2015-2016 and December-June, 2016-2017) to estimate their GWP and GHGI. The GWP of the rice varieties ranged from 841.52 to 1288.67kg CO2-equiv. ha-1 and GHGI from 0.184 to 0.854kg CO2-equiv. kg-1 grain yield. Significant differences (p< 0.05) in seasonal GHG emission, GWP, GHGI, CEE (carbon equivalent emission), photosynthetic efficiency, stomatal conductance, transpiration rate, and grain productivity among the rice varieties were observed during the investigation. A good correlation of GWP (p< 0.01) was recorded with rate of stomatal conductance and transpiration rate of the varieties. The present study reveals a strong relationship between plant biomass (p< 0.01) with GWP and CEE of the rice varieties. The variety IR 64 and Number 9 are identified as the most suitable variety with lowest GWP (909.85 and 876.68kg CO2-equiv. ha-1 respectively) and GHGI (0.192 and 0.227kg CO2-equiv. kg-1 grain yield respectively) accompanied by higher grain productivity (4839 and 3867kgha-1 respectively). Observations from the study suggest that agricultural productivity and GHG mitigation can be simultaneously achieved by proper selection of rice genotypes.

Effect of Foliar Zinc Application and Irrigation with Magnetic Water on Zinc Concentration in Grain , Growth and Rice Yield Variety Alyasmin ( Oryza Sativa L. ) .

A field experiment is conducted in Al – Najaf Governorate during summer season 2015 to study the effects of magnetic water irrigation and Zinc foliar applications on Zinc concentration in grain , yield and growth of rice (Oriza sativa L.) of Yasmin variety . Treatments include using zinc ( ZnSo4.7H2O ( 23 % ZN ) with three levels (0 , 75 , 150) mg.zn.L-1 and tow levels of magnetic water irrigation ( magnetic 3500 gauss and no treatment ) Split plot according to RCBD with three replicates is designed . The following results are obtained : 1- The levels of magnetic water irrigation have significant effect on zinc concentration 32.6 mg . kg-1 grain , straw yield 9.75 mega gm. h-1 , plant height 116 cm , length of spikelet 27.03 cm, no. of seed in spikelet 130 seeds , wt. of 1000 grain ( 20gm ) . 2- There is a significant effect of the level of foliar Zinc on % fertility 17.75 % , grain yield 6.14 mega gm.h-1 ,zinc concentration 32.7 mg . kg-1 grain , no. of spikelet 409.3 .m-2 , straw yield straw yield 9.72 mega gm. h-1 , plant height 116 cm , length of spikelet 26.9 cm. 3 - The interaction between magnetic water & levels of Zinc application affects significantly in the grain yield 6.77 mega gm.h-1 , straw yield 10.28 mega gm. h-1 and zinc concentration in grain 35.3 mg Zn.kg-1 grain , plant height 119 cm , length of spikelet 28.7 , no. of seed in spikelet (143 seeds) , weight of 1000 grain ( 20.6 gm. ) . ) .

Association of farmers’ sorghum grain post-harvest handling practices with aflatoxin B1 and total fumonisin contamination in east Hararghe, Ethiopia

Improper farmers’ postharvest handling practices of sorghum grain coupled with adverse climatic conditions are conducive for fungal growth and toxin production. The objective of the present study was to investigate the association of farmers' sorghum grain postharvest handling practices with aflatoxin B1 and total fumonisin contamination in three districts (Babile, Haramaya and Kersa) of East Hararghe Zone, Ethiopia. A total of 90 sorghum grain samples were collected in two phases. Half of the total samples were collected from the threshing yards at the time of threshing and the other half of samples were collected from underground storage pits 5 - 6 months after storage in the year 2013/14. Quantification of the mycotoxins was done using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Farmers threshed their sorghum grain either on bare ground, on cow dung smeared ground or on canvas while the underground storage pits were differently managed in all the three study districts. Variation in mycotoxin contamination levels were evidenced from sorghum grain threshed on different grounds. The highest mean (8.52 μg kg-1 grain) aflatoxin B1 and mean total fumonisin (1085.1 μg kg-1 grain) were detected from Babile sorghum grain samples threshed on bare ground. The highest total fumonisin (2002.8 μg kg-1grain) was detected from Haramaya sorghum grain samples threshed on bare ground close to the farmers’ sorghum fields. The variation was also observed in sorghum grain samples collected from the underground storage pits. High levels of aflatoxin B1 and total fumonisin were recorded from sorghum grain samples collected from bare underground storage pits in all the three study districts. Use of bare underground storage pits for sorghum grain storage showed a high risk of mycotoxin contamination. The findings of this study call for intervention strategies to be implemented by subsistence farmers to reduce the contamination by aflatoxin B1 and total fumonisin.

SOME MODELS OF PREDICTED EQUATIONS OF MAIZE RESPONSE YIELD TO FERTILIZER APPLICATIONS

Two field trials were conducted at Giza Research Station, with split plot design with three replicates during the two successive summer seasons in 2012 and 2013. The aim of this study was to find out the effect of cotingen for covering seed by four treatments (zero, 7.5, 15 and 22.5 g kg-1 grain) and six nitrogen fertilizer levels (control, 30, 60, 90, 120 and 150 kg fed.-1) on maize yield and yield attributes of single cross 10 cultivar. Stepwise multiple linear regression analysis was used to determine the importance of yield components and to predict the yield under different levels of nitrogen and cotingen rates. Nitrogen levels exhibited significant effect for all studied traits, while cotingen were significant for100-kernels weight; shelling% and grain yield traits only. The interaction between cotingen and Nitrogen was significant for row per ear, shelling% and grain yield. Meanwhile, stepwise linear regression analysis showed that 100-kernels weight, number of kernels per row and shelling% were the most important contributing traits to yield (R2 = 82.11%). The nitrogen rates for maximum yield derived from the four statistical models (linear, logarithmic, quadratic, and exponential) describing the response of yield, using the R2statistic to select a model, which shows how each of the models fits the data. The quadratic model best described the yield responses observed in this study. Further confirms the role of nitrogen and cotingen fertilizers in increasing yield production in maize. The 5th N rate under 3rdcotingen (120 Kg fed-1 + 22.5 and 15g kg-1 grain) produced the highest yield being 34.70 and 34.65 ard. fed-1 over all treatments. This is very close to recommendations. The 4th N (90Kg fed-1) rate under any cotingen level produced higher yield than any nitrogen rate only. Economically, considering optimum N fertilization rate, 105.18 Kg fed-1 nitrogen and 22.5 g kg-1 grain cotingen was the most reasonable level. This is considerably below the current recommendation. Therefore, results confirmed that higher cotingen treatment decreased the optimal nitrogen and increased the yield.

Insecticidal activity of Laurelia sempervirens (Ruiz &amp; Pav.) Tul. essential oil against Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky

The maize weevil Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky is a worldwide key pest of stored products. Usually contact insecticides or fumigants are used against it, but problems as toxic residues, human intoxications, and resistance have triggered the search for alternative control methods as the use of essential oils. The objective of this research was to assess under laboratory conditions, the insecticidal properties of Laurelia sempervirens (Ruiz & Pav.) Tul. essential oil against S. zeamais. In contact toxicity bioassay assessed treatments were 0 (control), 1.25, 2.5, 5.0, 10, 20, and 40 mL essential oil kg-1 grain and 0 (control), 25, 50, 75, 100, 125, 150, and 175 μL essential oil L-1 air in fumigant toxicity tests. The highest toxicity by contact activity was reached by concentrations higher than 10 mL essential oil kg-1 grain (100% mortality). The same treatments totally inhibit F1. The dose of 175 μL essential oil L-1 air showed a significant toxicity by fumigant activity causing 72.5% of dead insects. The other treatments did not surpass 5% mortality. In offspring effect (F1) bioassay, all treatments had an insect emergence significantly lower than the control but concentrations equal or higher than 10 mL essential oil kg-1 grain prevented the emergence of F1 during the 7 wk of bioassay. The residual effect of contact toxicity remained by 15 d. The treatments based on essential oil lead to a weight grain loss lower than control and germination was not affected. All assessed treatments showed repellent effect. The essential oil of L. sempervirens has promissory perspectives to maize weevil control.

Genetic Variability for Zinc Use Efficiency in Chickpea as Influenced by Zinc Fertilization

Zinc deficiency is the major problem in chickpea production when grown on highly permeable light textured soils, low in organic matter content and continuously cropped with rice. A field experiment was conducted for two crop years (2011-12 &amp; 2012-13) at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi to study the effect of variety and zinc (Zn) application on the grain yield, Zn uptake and Zn use efficiency in chickpea. In general, Pusa 372 out-performed Pusa 2024 and Pusa 5028 in growth characters, grain yield, Zn uptake and physiological efficiency of Zn applied. Chickpea variety Pusa 372 recorded 2.13 t ha-1 grain yield which was 0.71 and 7.04% higher compared to Pusa 2024 and Pusa 5028 (based on mean of 2 years). Similar results were also observed with straw yield of chickpea. From the viewpoint of Zn concentration in grain and its biofortification, Pusa 5028 appears promising especially at the highest level of Zn (7.5 kg Zn ha-1); in the second year of study it recorded the highest Zn concentration of 50.1 mg Zn kg-1 grain. Each successive increase in the application of Zn from 2.5 to 7.5 kg ha-1 also increased the grain as well as straw yields of chickpea; however the significantly highest grain yield (2.24 t ha-1, mean of 2 years) was recorded with application of 7.5 kg Zn ha-1 which was 18.52, 10.89 and 4.19% higher compared to 0, 2.5 and 5.0 kg Zn ha-1 respectively.

Phytotoxicity of pathogenic fungi and their mycotoxins to cereal seedling viability.

Aspergillus flavus, Alternaria alternata and Fusarium oxysporum were found to be the pathogenic fungi mostly reducing cereal (barley, sorghum and wheat) seedlings. The pathogens have the ability to produce aflatoxin B1 and G1, diacetoxyscirpenol, kojic acid and tenuazonic acid that reduced seedling viability. The inhibition dose for 50% reduction (LD50) was recorded by aflatoxins at 0.83 mg L-1 for barley, 1.74 mg L-1 for wheat and 2.75 mg L-1 for sorghum. Diacetoxyscirpenol produced its inhibition at 1.26 mg L-1 for barley, 3.98 mg L-1 for wheat and 10 mg L-1 for sorghum. Kojic acid induced 50% inhibition at 63 mg L-1 for barley, 105 mg L-1 for wheat and 251 mg L-1 for sorghum. However, tenuazonic acid was less toxic where, the toxicity was ranged between 79-550 mg L-1. The inhibition in germination was more pronounced in barley followed by wheat and negligible in sorghum to all tested mycotoxins. This inhibition attributed to the reduction in seedling amylase activity. Amylase was also reduced in the same trend: barley > wheat > sorghum. Grain treatment with carboxin-captan and thiophanatemethyl-thiram at 1 g kg-1 grain increased seedlings vigour of wheat in sterilized soil by 45 and 22%, barley by 24 and 33% and sorghum by 15 and 30%, respectively. These fungicides have also a positive effect on cereal when soil was inoculated with A. flavus, A. alternata and F. oxysporum.

Effect of tillage practices on yield and energy use pattern of clusterbean (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba L. Taub) - pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum L. R. Br.) rotation in arid zone

A study was conducted on different tillage practices for growing clusterbean-pearl millet rotation in sandy soils of arid zone. The results indicated that grains yield of cluster bean and pearl millet ploughed with a cultivator at 22.5cm spacing (farmer's practice) was significantly lower than harrowing treatments. However, yield under modified farmer's practice i.e. planting in alternate row with cultivator tynes spaced at 22.5 cm was equivalent to that of harrowing treatments. Water use efficiency improved with increase in number of tillage operations and it was maximum with cross harrowing treatment. The energy use pattern revealed that disc harrowing (cross) consumed more energy (12715 MJ ha-1) and plough plant system consumed less energy (10477 MJ ha-1). The treatment cultivator (one run) gave highest output-input ratio 13.1 followed by disc harrowing (one run) 12.9 output-input ratio. The specific energy was lowest with disc harrowing (one run) 4.9 MJ kg-1 grain followed by cultivator one run (5.0 MJ kg-1 grain). This shows that the minimum tillage practices, namely; cultivator (one run) and disc harrowing (one run) are more energy efficient as compared to either plough plant system or disc harrowing (cross in sandy soils of arid zone.

Phytotoxicity of pathogenic fungi and their mycotoxins to cereal seedling viability.

Aspergillus flavus, Alternaria alternata and Fusarium oxysporum were the pathogenic fungi most reduced cereal (barley, sorghum and wheat) seedlings. The pathogens have the ability to produce aflatoxin B1 and G1, diacetoxyscirpenol, kojic acid and tenuazonic acid that reduced seedling viability. The inhibition dose for 50% reduction (LD50) was recorded by aflatoxins at 0.83 mg L-1 for barley, 1.74 mg L-1 for wheat and 2.75 mg L-1 for sorghum. Diacetoxyscirpenol produced its inhibition at 1.26 mg L-1 for barley, 3.98 mg L-1 for wheat and 10 mg L-1 for sorghum. Kojic acid induced 50% inhibition at 63 mg L-1 for barley, 105 mg L-1 for wheat and 251 mg L-1 for sorghum. However, tenuazonic acid was less toxic where the toxicity ranged between 79-550 mg L-1. The germination inhibition was more pronounced in barley followed by wheat and was negligible in sorghum for all tested mycotoxins. This inhibition was attributed to the reduction in the seedling amylase activity, where amylase was also reduced in the same trend: barley > wheat > sorghum. Grain treated with carboxin-captan and thiophanatemethyl-thiram at 1 g kg-1 grain increased the seedlings vigour of wheat in sterilized soil by 45 and 22%, barley by 24 and 33% and sorghum by 15 and 30%, respectively. These fungicides also had a positive effect on cereal when the soil was inoculated with A. flavus, A. alternata and F. oxysporum, but the improvement was still below normal.