New evaluation of Alternaria brassicicola isolates against Striga hermonthica seeds emergence on maize in Kenya

Striga hermonthica (Del.) Benth is also known as witchweed, is a highly noxious parasite of cereal in Sub- Saharan Africa leading to enormous economic losses of above ۷ billion US yearly. Some of the suggested control methods have been ineffective, therefore, the weed has continued to increase its host range and area under infestation. The objective of this study was to evaluate Alternaria brassicicola isolates against Striga hermonthica seeds' emergence on maize. A greenhouse experiment was performed at KALRO/CYMMTRY Kibos station, Kisumu, Kenya during April to August, ۲۰۱۹. The experiment included local maize landrace known as “Rachar”, Striga hermonthica seeds Kibos ecotype and four strains of Alternaria brassicicola. The treatments were; Soils (Treated) + two maize seed + S. hermonthica seeds + each isolate (LM۰۱۷, LM۰۱۳, LM۰۱۹a and NY۰۲۱) independently and soils (Treated) + three maize seeds + S. hermonthica seeds only (Control). A. brassicicola isolates LM۰۱۹a, LM۰۱۳ and LM۰۱۷ inhibited Striga seeds emergence by ۷۸.۹%, ۵۷.۳% and ۲۹.۱% respectively. However, isolate NY۰۲۱ enhanced Striga seeds emergence by ۳۰.۴% over the control. This study, established that some strains of A. brassicicola can inhibit the emergence of Striga weed. Therefore, the fungus could be used as a possible bio-agent in the production of mycoherbicide against Striga weed.

کلیدواژه ها:

biological control ، Bioagent ، Mycoherbicide ، Phytotoxins ، Secondary metabolites ، toxins