Integrated Biological and Chemical Control against the Maize Late Wilt Agent Magnaporthiopsis maydis

Today’s fungal plant disease control efforts tend towards environmentally friendly and reduced chemical applications. While traditional broad-spectrum fungicides provide efficient protection to many field crops, they pose a risk the soil’s beneficial microflora potential health hazard. Moreover, their intensive use often evokes appearance of resistant pathogens. On other hand, biocontrol agents such as Trichoderma spp. green solution but cannot shield plants from aggressive outbreaks. Integrated biological can combine benefits both methods while reducing drawbacks. In current study, bio-chemo approach was developed evaluated for first time against maize late wilt pathogen, Magnaporthiopsis maydis. Combinations four species Azoxystrobin were tested, starting with an in vitro seed assay, then growth room sprouts trial, finally semi-field, full-season pot experiment. plates all species, sp. O.Y. (T14707), T. longibrachiatum (T7407), asperellum (P1) asperelloides (T203), grew (but some delay) presence minimal inhibition concentration (0.005 mg/L). The latter two provided high potted throughout full season semi-field open-enclosure trial. At harvest, P1 T203 bio-shielding exhibited best parameters (statistically significant) promotion, yield increase (up 29% recovery 94% pathogen suppression tracked by real-time PCR). When applied alone, treatment minor (insignificant) protection. Adding this fungicide resulted similar equal) results sole application. Still, fact that is harmless over complete condition great opening stage carrying out follow-up studies validating integrated commercial situation challenged acute stress.