Evaluation of Soil Inoculations with Diverse Fungal Pathogens: Insights into Their Role in Seed Rot and Seedling Blight of Maize

Bhawandeep Kaur Bhawan; Dr Harleen Kaur; Harinder Singh

doi:10.56093/ijas.v96i9.168287

Authors

Bhawandeep Kaur Bhawan Ph. D Student
Dr Harleen Kaur
Harinder Singh

https://doi.org/10.56093/ijas.v96i9.168287

Keywords:

Fusarium verticillioides, Maize, Seed rotting, seedling blight severity, soil inoculation

Abstract

The study was aimed to investigate the impact of different soil inoculum doses (2, 5 and 10 g/kg soil) of four fungal pathogens viz., Fusarium verticillioides, Rhizoctonia solani, Drechslera maydis and Macrophomina phaseolina and pathogen consortium on seed rot and seedling blight of maize and to assess their effects on seed germination, disease severity and plant growth parameters under pot house conditions. Our results indicated that soil inoculation with Fusarium verticillioides resulted in the lowest germination (76.2%) and the highest seedling blight severity (58.66%), whereas Drechslera maydis exhibited the least seedling blight severity. There was a consistent increase in disease severity and reduction in seedling growth parameters with higher doses of soil inoculum for all tested pathogens. The 10 g/kg soil inoculum dose resulted in the highest disease severity and most reduced seedling growth. At this concentration, F. verticillioides and M. phaseolina caused the greatest decrease in shoot and root length, while D. maydis had the least impact on both. In the same conditions, soil inoculated with F. verticillioides showed the lowest root surface area and root volume. The smallest per cent reduction in fresh and dry root and shoot weight was observed in soil inoculated with D. maydis, followed by R. solani. These findings indicated that under Punjab conditions, among the four pathogens tested, soil inoculations with F. verticillioides had the most detrimental impact on maize, causing seed rot and seedling blight.

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