EVALUATION OF SELECTED SOIL FERTILITY MANAGEMENT INTERVENTIONS FOR SUPPRESSION OF Fusarium spp. IN A MAIZE AND BEANS INTERCROP

Fusarium root rot of maize and beans is a common problem in Taita District, Kenya causing reduction in yields to the small scale farmers. The pathogen attacks maize and beans at all growth stages causing rot at the seedling stage, yellowing of the leaves, stunted growth, and death if severe. Potentially effective crop rotations to maintain the pathogen at low levels are not currently practical due to the small size of farms while fungicides are out of reach to the small scale farmer due to high prices. This study aimed at assessing alternatives to fungicides in controlling root infection by Fusarium sp. in maize and beans. Field trials were done in Taita District where agriculture contributes to 95% of household income with very little or no soil fertility ameliorating inputs in farms. The following were tested in the trials; three types of inorganic fertilizers, cow manure, and Trichoderma seed coating. Planting was done during the long and short rains. Soil and roots were collected from the rhizosphere during harvesting and assessed for inoculum density while the roots were evaluated for incidence of infection by Fusarium spp. The most common species in both soil and roots were F. oxysporum (Schlecht) Snyd.et Hans. and F. sporotrichoides Sherb. Addition of soil ammandments had a positive effect of reducing root infection and in some cases lowering inoculum density in the soil. Of the four integrated soil fertility interventions, Mavuno had the highest yield and was the most effective in suppressing root colonisation by Fusarium spp

Evaluation of selected soil fertility management interventions for suppression of fusarium spp. in a maize and beans intercrop

Fusarium root rot of maize and beans is a common problem in Taita District, Kenya causing reduction in yields to the small scale farmers. The pathogen attacks maize and beans at all growth stages causing rot at the seedling stage, yellowing of the leaves, stunted growth, and death if severe. Potentially effective crop rotations to maintain the pathogen at low levels are not currently practical due to the small size of farms while fungicides are out of reach to the small scale farmer due to high prices. This study aimed at assessing alternatives to fungicides in controlling root infection by Fusarium sp. in maize and beans. Field trials were done in Taita District where agriculture contributes to 95% of household income with very little or no soil fertility ameliorating inputs in farms. The following were tested in the trials; three types of inorganic fertilizers, cow manure, and Trichoderma seed coating. Planting was done during the long and short rains. Soil and roots were collected from the rhizosphere during harvesting and assessed for inoculum density while the roots were evaluated for incidence of infection by Fusarium spp. The most common species in both soil and roots were F. oxysporum (Schlecht) Snyd.et Hans. and F. sporotrichoides Sherb. Addition of soil ammandments had a positive effect of reducing root infection and in some cases lowering inoculum density in the soil. Of the four integrated soil fertility interventions, Mavuno had the highest yield and was the most effective in suppressing root colonisation by Fusarium spp

MOLECULAR CHARACTERIZATION AND IDENTIFICATION OF BIOCONTROL ISOLATES OF TRICHODERMA HARZIANUM FROM EMBU DISTRICT, KENYA

Species in the genus Trichoderma are important as commercial source of several enzymes, biofungicides, and growth promoters. The most common biological control agents of the genus are strains of T. harzianum, T .viride and T. viriens. In this study, sixteen selected isolates of T. harzianum from different land use types in Embu, Kenya were tested for anatogonistic action against five soil borne phytopathogenic fungi (Rhizoctonia solani, Pythium sp, Fusarium graminearum, F. oxysporum f. sp phaseoli and F. oxysporum f. sp Lycopersici) using dual culture assay and through production of non-volatile inhibitors. Seven isolates were further characterized using RAPD-PCR procedure to determine genetic variability. All T. harzianum isolates had considerable antagonistic effect on mycelial growth of the pathogens in dual cultures compared to the controls. Maximum inhibition occurred in Pythium sp-055E interaction (73%).The culture filtrates obtained from Czapek’s liquid medium reduced the dry weight (mg) of the mycelia significantly while those from the potato dextrose broth showed minimum inhibition growth. Pythium sp was inhibited the most compared to other pathogens. Genetic similarities generated using Jaccard’s coefficient of similarity ranged from 0.231 between isolates 055E and 011E to 0.857 between isolates 010E and 015E. The technique of RAPD was efficient in demonstrating the DNA polymorphism in the isolates of T. harzianum tested showing intraspecific genetic variability. Since all T. harzianum isolates evaluated were effective in controlling colony growth of the soil borne pathogens both in dual cultures and in culture filtrates they should be tried as a broad spectrum biological control agent in the greenhouse and under field conditions

Molecular characterization and identification of biocontrol isolates of Trichoderma harzianum from Embu District, Kenya

Species in the genus Trichoderma are important as commercial source of several enzymes, biofungicides, and growth promoters. The most common biological control agents of the genus are strains of T. harzianum, T .viride and T. viriens. In this study, sixteen selected isolates of T. harzianum from different land use types in Embu, Kenya were tested for anatogonistic action against five soil borne phytopathogenic fungi (Rhizoctonia solani, Pythium sp, Fusarium graminearum, F. oxysporum f. sp phaseoli and F. oxysporum f. sp Lycopersici) using dual culture assay and through production of non-volatile inhibitors. Seven isolates were further characterized using RAPD-PCR procedure to determine genetic variability. All T. harzianum isolates had considerable antagonistic effect on mycelial growth of the pathogens in dual cultures compared to the controls. Maximum inhibition occurred in Pythium sp-055E interaction (73%).The culture filtrates obtained from Czapek’s liquid medium reduced the dry weight (mg) of the mycelia significantly while those from the potato dextrose broth showed minimum inhibition growth. Pythium sp was inhibited the most compared to other pathogens. Genetic similarities generated using Jaccard’s coefficient of similarity ranged from 0.231 between isolates 055E and 011E to 0.857 between isolates 010E and 015E. The technique of RAPD was efficient in demonstrating the DNA polymorphism in the isolates of T. harzianum tested showing intraspecific genetic variability. Since all T. harzianum isolates evaluated were effective in controlling colony growth of the soil borne pathogens both in dual cultures and in culture filtrates they should be tried as a broad spectrum biological control agent in the greenhouse and under field conditions