Mycoflora of maize (Zea Mays L.) seeds in different storage conditions and their management

Abstract

An investigation was carried out to find the association of fungi with different varieties of maize seeds in storage during the period of 2011-2015. Samples were collected from Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI), Joydebpur, Gazipur. Fungi associated with seeds of maize were isolated following “Blotter” and “Tissue planting” method. A total of seven fungi were isolated from the seeds of maize in storage. The isolated fungi were Aspergillus flavus, A. fumigatus, A. niger, Curvularia lunata, Fusarium sp., Penicillium sp. and Rhizopus stolonifer. The frequency percentage of association of Aspergillus niger isolated from maize seeds was higher than any other fungi. Pathogenic potentiality of the isolated fungi was carried out following seed inoculating technique. Among the isolated fungi C. lunata and Fusarium sp. were found to be pathogenic to the maize seeds. Five fungicides viz., Bavistin 50 WP, Dithane M-45, Greengel 72 WP, Ridomil MZ Gold and Tall 250 EC were selected to evaluate their in vitro efficacy at different concentrations against the test fungi. In this study, out of five fungicides Tall 250 EC showed best inhibiting effect on the test fungi followed by Bavistin 50 WP, Dithane M-45, Greengel 72 WP and Ridomil MZ Gold. Five plants extracts viz., Azadirachta indica A. Juss, Allium sativum L., Citrus medica L., Datura metel L. and Tagetes erecta L. were selected to evaluate their in vitro fungitoxicity at 5, 10 and 20% concentrations against test fungi. In this study, Allium sativum and Datura metel showed 100% radial growth inhibition of A. fumigatus at 20% concentration. The present investigation suggests that out of five fungicides, Tall 250 EC can be used as best inhibiting chemical agent against the fungi associated with different maize varieties. Out of five plant extracts, Allium sativum identified as best botanicals for further investigation against the fungi associated with different maize varieties.