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Trichoderma asperellum isolated from African maize seed directly inhibits Fusarium verticillioides growth in vitro

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Abstract

Maize is a globally important crop that is affected by fungal diseases causing yield losses annually. One fungus, Fusarium verticillioides, causes the disease Fusarium Ear Rot (FER), which reduces grain quality and produces mycotoxins called fumonisins that are harmful to animals and humans. As chemical fungicides are expensive and have negative environmental effects, the use of biological control agents (BCAs) has become favourable in recent years. A commonly used fungal BCA is Trichoderma spp., which has been effective in reducing disease incidence as well as enhancing crop growth. In this study, T. asperellum was isolated from an African maize line and was shown to significantly inhibit growth of F. verticillioides in an in vitro competition assay.

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Acknowledgements

This study was funded in South Africa by The Maize Trust and the National Research Foundation. We would like to thank Jean Ntuli for providing seeds.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa

    Amy Veenstra, M. Suhail Rafudeen & Shane L. Murray

  2. Center for Proteomic and Genomic Research, Observatory, Cape Town, South Africa

    Shane L. Murray

Authors
  1. Amy Veenstra
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  2. M. Suhail Rafudeen
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  3. Shane L. Murray
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Correspondence to Shane L. Murray.

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This research did not involve human participants and/or animals.

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Veenstra, A., Rafudeen, M. & Murray, S.L. Trichoderma asperellum isolated from African maize seed directly inhibits Fusarium verticillioides growth in vitro. Eur J Plant Pathol 153, 279–283 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10658-018-1530-8

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