Newly identified Fusarium strains (olowILH1 and olowILH2) causing ear rot of maize and their control using Glomus clarum and G. deserticola

This study focused on characterization of common Fusarium strains causing ear rot disease of maize and potentials of controlling them using arbuscular mycorrhiza (Glomus clarum Nicol. & Sch. and G. deserticola Trappe, Bloss & Menge). Maize ear showing rot symptoms were obtained from ten (10) different farms in Osun State, Nigeria using random sampling technique and subjected to fungal isolation. The two dominant and most virulent strains (olowILH1 and olowILH2) were further characterized based on morphological and molecular ITS-amplification methods. Responses of maize varieties PVASYN8F2, T2LCOMP1STRSYN-W-1 and T2LCOMP.4 from different agro-ecological zones to selected Fusarium ear rot pathogens and biocontrol efficacy of mycorrhizal fungi were further assessed on growth, yield, and symptoms observed. Selected ear rot pathogens were identified as Fusarium napiforme, they exhibited varying inhibitory effects on tested maize varieties compare to the control (uninfected plant) which had better growth characteristics. T2LCOMP4 was more susceptible to both fungal strains as compared to the other maize varieties (T2LCOMP1STRSYN-W-1 and T2LCOMP4). It was further observed that treatment of most susceptible maize variety (T2LCOMP4) with both arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in-vivo yielded better suppression of ear rot disease, although Glomus clarum had higher antagonistic/control effect on these pathogens as compared to G. deserticola.

Automated summary

This study focused on characterizing common Fusarium strains causing ear rot disease of maize and the potential control using arbuscular mycorrhiza. The most susceptible maize variety T2LCOMP4 showed better suppression of ear rot disease when treated with two arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, with a higher control effect observed for Glomus clarum compared to G. deserticola.