Incidence and Persistence of Fusarium Moniliforme in Symptomless Maize Kernels and Seedlings in Nigeria

SUMMARY

Fusarium moniliforme was isolated from between 43 and 68% of symptomless maize kernels stored for 10 to 15 mo (aged kernels) and from between 36 and 78% of freshly harvested kernels. The fungus was present in healthy seedlings grown from aged and fresh kernels in the field 40 da after planting. From these field-grown seedlings F. moniliforme was readily isolated from the growing point, crown and root of 10-da-old seedlings grown from both aged and fresh kernels and from the crown and root of 20-da-old seedlings grown from aged kernels. At 40 da after planting the fungus was isolated mostly from the roots. The evidence obtained indicates that F. moniliforme can survive in healthy maize kernels for up to 15 mo and can be isolated from healthy roots of 40-da-old plants. Maize roots could be one important source of F. moniliforme inoculum for stalk-rot infection in mature plants late in the growing season.