Vol. 10, Issue 6 (2021)

Author(s):
Francis Xavier and Maneesha Kaushik

Abstract:
Maize (Zea mays L.) is one of the most adaptive developing crops, able to grow in a wide range of agroclimatic conditions. Macrophomina phaseolina is a species of Macrophomina (Tassi) Goid is a maize pathogen that causes serious charcoal rot disease, which results in severe output losses. Three native Ascomycetes, Trichoderma harzianum, T. viride, and T. hamatum, as well as two Meliaceae members, Melia azedarach L. and Azadirachta indica L., were tested for antifungal activity against the pathogen. It usually survives in the soil as microsclerotia, which germinate repeatedly during the crop-growing season. Sclerotia survival is harmed by a low C:N ratio in the soil, as well as a high bulk density and high soil moisture content. Agricultural methods, organic amendments, seed treatment, and genetic host resistance can all help to manage the illness to some extent.