Tackling Fusarium seed infection in maize: Integrating in vitro and in vivo approaches

Abstract

Treating maize seed against Fusarium spp. is essential, as it forms the first line of defense, ensuring healthy germination and robust early plant growth. This soil-borne fungi not only reduce yield and grain quality but also produce mycotoxins harmful to human and animal health. In the present studies, effectiveness of five fungicides and one native strain of Trichoderma harzianum were evaluated against Fusarium verticillioides both under in-vitro and in-vivo conditions. Under in vitro conditions, mancozeb 50% + carbendazim 25% WS and carbendazim 50% WP demonstrated complete inhibition of mycelial growth of F. verticillioides at 25 ppm, whereas sedaxane 12.16% + azoxystrobin 3.15% + thiamethoxam 22.06% FS and Thiram 75 WS were found to be the least effective against F. verticillioides. Dual culture technique showed 68.35 per cent inhibition by Trichoderma harzianum against F. verticillioides. Under laboratory conditions, roll towel method showed maximum germination (95%) and highest shoot (22.4 cm) and root length (61.55 cm) were observed with carbendazim 50% WP followed by mancozeb 50% + carbendazim 25% WS. Under field conditions, carbendazim 50% WP @ 3g/kg seed and mancozeb 50% + carbendazim 25% WS @ 2g/kg seed were found highly effective, enhancing seed germination by 95 and 94.66 per cent and reducing seedling blight severity by 7.38 and 8.0 per cent and seedling mortality by 3.33 and 4.33 per cent respectively. Seed treated with carbendazim 50% WP at 3g/kg exhibited the highest shoot and root length as well as maximum grain yield, while seeds treated with sedaxane 12.16% + azoxystrobin 3.15% + thiamethoxam 22.06% FS at 3ml/kg displayed the least vigor and minimum grain yield.