scholarly journals From laboratory to the field: biological control of Fusarium graminearum on infected maize crop residues

2020 ◽  
Vol 129 (3) ◽  
pp. 680-694
Author(s):  
A. Gimeno ◽  
A. Kägi ◽  
D. Drakopoulos ◽  
I. Bänziger ◽  
E. Lehmann ◽  
...  
Author(s):  
Léna Durocher-Granger ◽  
Tibonge Mfune ◽  
Monde Musesha ◽  
Alyssa Lowry ◽  
Kathryn Reynolds ◽  
...  

AbstractInvasive alien species have environmental, economic and social impacts, disproportionally threatening livelihood and food security of smallholder farmers in low- and medium-income countries. Fall armyworm (FAW) (Spodoptera frugiperda), an invasive insect pest from the Americas, causes considerable losses on maize to smallholder farmers in Africa since 2016. The increased use of pesticides to control FAW in Africa raises concerns for health and environmental risks resulting in a growing interest in research on biological control options for smallholder farmers. In order to evaluate the occurrence of local natural enemies attacking FAW, we collected on a weekly basis FAW eggs and larvae during a maize crop cycle in the rainy season of 2018–2019 at four locations in the Lusaka and Central provinces in Zambia. A total of 4373 larvae and 162 egg masses were collected. For each location and date of collection, crop stage, the number of plants checked and amount of damage were recorded to analyse which factors best explain the occurrence of the natural enemy species on maize. Overall parasitism rates from local natural enemies at each location varied between 8.45% and 33.11%. We identified 12 different egg-larval, larval and larval-pupal parasitoid species. Location, maize growth stage, pest density and larval stage significantly affected parasitoid species occurrence. Our findings indicate that there is potential for increasing local populations of natural enemies of FAW through conservation biological control programmes and develop safe and practical control methods for smallholder farmers.


2019 ◽  
Vol 112 (4) ◽  
pp. 1705-1712 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bernardo L Muatinte ◽  
Johnnie Van den Berg

Abstract Prostephanus truncatus (Horn) (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae) populations are maintained in wild host plants such as trees that act as pest reservoirs from where beetle infestation of maize granaries take place. In this study, we assessed the suitability of plant species sold and transported as firewood as well as other plant species in Mozambique as hosts for P. truncatus. Prostephanus truncatus was only recorded from three tree species, which are sold as firewood, i.e., Brachystegia spiciformis, Strychnos spinosa, and Colophospermum mopane. The pest survived and bred in 13 tree and 7 grass species. Dry wood of several tree species and the grasses Acroceras macrum and Hyparrhenia hirta were suitable hosts for pest development. Sale and transport of certain firewood species may be an important driver of the spread of this pest. The importance of dry maize stalks and several grass species in sustaining pest populations is described for the first time. Several grass species are used as thatch or fencing material and, together with maize crop residues close to small-scale granaries, may provide significant sources of beetle infestation.


1997 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 763-764
Author(s):  
G. V. Kalko ◽  
L. A. Nasarovskaya ◽  
I. I. Novikova ◽  
I. V. Boikova ◽  
V. G. Ivashenko

2015 ◽  
Vol 82 (1) ◽  
pp. 184-191 ◽  
Author(s):  
Valentina Manstretta ◽  
Vittorio Rossi

ABSTRACTFusarium graminearumis the predominant component of the Fusarium head blight complex of wheat.F. graminearumascospores, which initiate head infection, mature in perithecia on crop residues and become airborne. The effects of temperature (T) and moisture on perithecium production and maturation and on ascospore production on maize stalk residues were determined. In the laboratory, perithecia were produced at temperatures between 5 and 30°C (the optimum was 21.7°C) but matured only at 20 and 25°C. Perithecia were produced when relative humidity (RH) was ≥75% but matured only when RH was ≥85%; perithecium production and maturation increased with RH. Equations describing perithecium production and maturation over time as a function ofTand RH (R2> 0.96) were developed. Maize stalks were also placed outdoors on three substrates: a grass lawn exposed to rain; a constantly wet, spongelike foam exposed to rain; and a grass lawn protected from rain. No perithecia were produced on stalks protected from rain. Perithecium production and maturation were significantly higher on the constantly wet foam than on the intermittently wet lawn (both exposed to rain). Ascospore numbers but not their dispersal patterns were also affected by the substrate.


Author(s):  
Raquel Marin ◽  
Claudia Tatiana Araujo da Cruz-Silva ◽  
Edimar Paulo Gonçalvez ◽  
Clair Aparecida Viecelli
Keyword(s):  

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (18) ◽  
pp. 187
Author(s):  
Felipe Tascheto Bolzan ◽  
Diego Nicolau Follmann ◽  
Camila Bisognin Meneghetti ◽  
Leila Cássia Picon ◽  
Ana Lúcia de Paula Ribeiro

The areas of maize production harbor a high number of insect species, some of which are considered pests that cause damage to the crop. The methods of pest control have been a cause of concern for the society since the use of chemicals and the environmental problems arising from this practice indicate the need to search for alternatives to control. In this sense, it is necessary to seek an agricultural production system that contemplates environmental sustainability and promotes biodiversity in the Agrosystem, among which the use of biological agents is highlighted. The objective of this research was to update through a bibliographic review the advances in the literature on biological control of maize crop pests. For the development of this article, we used the method of approach the analytical and as procedural method the monographic, through bibliographic research, using specialized doctrines, appropriate to the object of the study and legislations. Because of the observed aspects, it is possible to conclude that the group of natural enemies that act as biological control agents is formed by parasitoids, predators and entomopathogenic microorganisms. The rationalization of the use of chemicals should be associated with the use of biodefensives in integrated pest management. Advances in the legislation of biological products in Brazil are fundamental to give speed to the registration of new alternatives of biological control, aimed at the safety of the environment, human health and that are generated without the exploratory use of biodiversity.


2012 ◽  
Vol 51 (No. 4) ◽  
pp. 119-124 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Hůla ◽  
R. Šindelář ◽  
P. Kovaříček

After spring barley harvest the operational effects of tillers and seed drill on spring barley residues were evaluated in two variants of cultural operations. Generally low values of soil surface coverage by crop residues after cultural operations were performed document that soil tillage and sowing did not comply with the criteria for conservation technologies – the coverage of soil surface by crop residues was lower by 30% after all cultural operations. After silage maize harvest we determined the weight of maize crop residues and coverage of soil surface by these residues after shallow tillage by a disk tiller when nine variants of the operating mode of the tiller were used. Obviously, the change in the operating mode of the tiller was able to influence the coverage of soil surface by maize residues. The evaluation of the operational effects of disc tiller on crop residues indicated some restraints of the use of this group of implements for conservation (erosion-control) technologies of soil tillage.


2011 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 235-243 ◽  
Author(s):  
Milan Martinov ◽  
Branislav Veselinov ◽  
Savo Bojic ◽  
Djordje Djatkov

Maize crop residues have great significance, particularly in developing countries, where the harvest of maize ears and their natural drying is widely applied. After drying and grain threshing, maize cobs are available for energetic use on farmers? yards. Shortcomings for their energetic utilization by combustion, in comparison with wood, are higher contents of potassium, chlorine and nitrogen, and lower ash softening point. Tests in small wood chip boilers showed that the size of maize cobs should be reduced in order to facilitate better combustion and feeding with commonly used screw conveyors. Desirable length of particles should be 1-1.5 of their diameter. Within the framework of the Eureka project, a low-cost maize cobs crusher was developed and tested. It consists of a drum with six rows of knives, stationary comb-like knives and a screen situated below the drum. The test resulted with working parameters that enable appropriate size reduction. Analyses of crushed material showed that over 80% of particles were in the range of 3.15-45 mm, less than 1% smaller than 1 mm, and less than 1% larger than 63 mm. This granulation is comparable with size class P45 for wood chips in accordance with standard DIN CEN/TS 14961. Further investigations should focus on improving the combustion facilities, in order to avoid formation of ash slag, and keeping exhaust gas characteristics within values defined by legislation.


2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 315
Author(s):  
Ofir Degani ◽  
Shlomit Dor

Late wilt, a disease severely affecting maize fields throughout Israel, is characterized by the relatively rapid wilting of maize plants from the tasseling stage to maturity. The disease is caused by the fungus Magnaporthiopsis maydis, a soil and seed-borne pathogen. The pathogen is controlled traditionally through the use of maize cultivars having reduced sensitivity to the disease. Nevertheless, such cultivars may lose their immunity after several years of intensive growth due to the presence of high virulent isolates of M. maydis. Alternative effective and economical chemical treatment to the disease was recently established but is dependent on the use of a dripline assigned for two adjacent rows and exposes the risk of fungicide resistance. In the current work, eight marine and soil isolates of Trichoderma spp., known for high mycoparasitic potential, were tested as biocontrol agents against M. maydis. An in vitro confront plate assay revealed strong antagonistic activity against the pathogen of two T. longibrachiatum isolates and of T. asperelloides. These species produce soluble metabolites that can inhibit or kill the maize pathogen in submerged and solid media culture growth assays. In greenhouse experiments accompanied by real-time PCR tracking of the pathogen, the Trichoderma species or their metabolites managed to improve the seedlings’ wet biomass and reduced the pathogen DNA in the maize roots. A follow-up experiment carried out through a whole growth session, under field conditions, provided important support to the Trichoderma species’ beneficial impact. The direct addition of T. longibrachiatum and even more T. asperelloides to the seeds, with the sowing, resulted in a yield improvement, a significant increase in the growth parameters and crops, to the degree of noninfected plants. These bioprotective treatments also restricted the pathogen DNA in the host tissues (up to 98%) and prevented the disease symptoms. The results encourage more in-depth research to uncover such biological agents’ potential and the methods to implement them in commercial fields. If adequately developed into final products and combined with other control methods, the biological control could play an important role in maize crop protection against Late wilt.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document