Biocontrol Science and Technology (2015) 25, 1105-1119

Mohammed Aiyaz, Shetty Thimmappa Divakara, Siddaiah Chandra Nayaka, Puttaswamy Hariprasad and Siddapura Ramachandrappa Niranjana (2015)
Application of beneficial rhizospheric microbes for the mitigation of seed-borne mycotoxigenic fungal infection and mycotoxins in maize
Biocontrol Science and Technology 25 (10), 1105-1119
Abstract: In the present investigation, seven rhizobacteria and nine Trichoderma spp. were evaluated to suppress seed-borne mycotoxigenic fungi (Aspergillus flavus and Fusarium verticillioides) and mycotoxin (aflatoxin and fumonisin) and to improve planting value of maize. Under in vitro conditions, these beneficial microorganisms suppressed the growth of A. flavus and F. verticillioides to various extents. Bacillus sp. (Bsp 3/aM), Pseudomonas putida (Has 1/c), Trichoderma asperellum (M5) and T. asperellum (T2) exhibited the greatest antagonistic effect on seed-borne mycotoxigenic fungi, and subsequently reduced mycotoxin concentrations in seeds. Under greenhouse conditions, these four biocontrol strains were also found to increase root length, shoot length, % germination, vigour index, fresh weight and dry weight of seedlings. Considering their overall performances, strains Bsp 3/aM, Has 1/c, M5 and T2 were selected for field studies as microbial talcum formulations. Among the tested microbial formulations, strain Bsp 3/aM significantly increased yield by 9.4% and 6.2% over the control in two maize cultivars Hema and Pearl, respectively. Increased plant growth and yield was also correlated with nutrient uptake in both the tested cultivars. All microbial formulation recorded significantly (p < 0.05) reduced A. flavus infection and aflatoxin contamination in harvested seeds. But, none of the microbial formulations were found significant (p < 0.05) in reducing F. verticilliodes incidence and fumonisin contamination. Our findings indicate that these microbial antagonists indirectly improve host health by suppressing seed-borne incidence of mycotoxigenic fungi and directly by facilitating nutrient uptake, thereby revealing their potential as both biofertilisers and biopesticides for maize production.
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Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Siddapura Ramachandrappa Niranjana

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
evaluation - screening - selection

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Aspergillus flavus (plant/storage disease)
	Fusarium verticillioides
Pseudomonas putida (antagonist)	Aspergillus flavus (plant/storage disease)
Trichoderma asperellum (antagonist)	Aspergillus flavus (plant/storage disease)