Stalk rot species diversity and molecular phylogeny associated with diseased maize in India

AbstractStalk rot disease is a major constraint in maize production and till date reported to be caused by two to three species of phytopathogenic fungi but, in our present study, we disclose the first report of stalk rot is caused by complex species of phytopathogens, which belongs to five different genera. Therefore, to substantiate these findings, a total of 105 diseased samples of maize were collected from 21 different locations in six different geographical locations of India from which 48 isolates were used for the research study. Morphological features such as pigmentation, colony color, type of mycelium and pattern of mycelium was examined using macro and microscopic methods. A total of 11 different spp. of pathogens belonging to the five different genera:Fusarium verticillioides (56.25%),F. equiseti (14.5%),F. andiyazi (6.25%),F. solani (2.08%),F. proliferatum (2.08%),F. incarnatum (2.08%),Lasidioplodia theobrame (6.25%),Exserohilum rostrtum (4.16%),Nigrospora spp. (4.16%). andSchizophyllum commune (2.08%) were identified by different housekeeping genes (ITS, TEF-1 α, RPB2 and Actin).Fusarium verticillioides, F. equiseti andF. andiyazi were major pathogens involved in stalk rot. This is the first report onF. proliferatum, F. solani, F. incarnatum, Lasidioplodia theobrame, Exserohilum rostrtum,Nigrospora spp. andSchizophyllum commune causing stalk rot of maize and their distribution in the different states of India. Studies on population dynamics of PFSR will enhance...
Source: World Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology - Category: Microbiology Source Type: research