Prevalence and Management of Phytopathogenic Seed-Borne Fungi of Maize

Seed-borne fungi are solemn and deleterious pathogens capable of causing significant losses quantity quality in maize seeds seedlings. They infect the crop at all points production chain from farms to stores. A yield loss up 50% can be encountered. Currently, chemical control disease is being implemented, though it accompanied by several negative effects. This study aimed identifying seed-borne effective management options. deep-freezing blotter method morphological identification fungal species were implemented. The detected Fusarium verticillioides, Aspergillus flavus, niger, Penicillium spp., Rhizopus Curvularia spp. However, farmer-saved seeds, incidences significantly higher (p < 0.01) than certified seeds. To identify more options, efficacy water ethanol-extracted bio-fungicides three plant species, namely, neem (Azadirachta indica), ginger (Zingiber officinale), coffee (Coffea arabica) evaluated. From vitro assays, have a 100% inhibitory effect on growth, whilst effects water-extracted 55.88% indica) 46.31% followed 5.15% arabica). For case an vivo assay, treated with seed germination seedling vigor percentages. germination, percentages (neem (90%) (72.5%)) (0%), (2.5%), (0%)). similar observation made for weight. Therefore, tested used treating before sowing them. Further studies methods extracting bioactive compounds, improving their shelf life, recommended.