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Effects of Fusarium
verticilloides, its metabolites and neem leaf extract on
germination and vigour indices of maize (Zea mays L.)
Samuel Toba Anjorin1*, Hussaini Anthony Makun2,
Titilayo Adesina2 and Ibrahim Kudu3
1Department
of Crop Production, Federal University of Technology, Minna,
Niger State, Nigeria.
2Department
of Biochemistry, Federal University of Technology, Minna,
Niger State, Nigeria.
3Department
of Microbiology, Federal University of Technology, Minna,
Niger State, Nigeria.
*Corresponding author. E-mail:
oyindamola35@yahoo.com.
Accepted
13 June, 2008 |
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Maize (Zea mays L.) seed samples were collected from
three markets in Minna, Niger State to investigate the
effect of Fusarium verticilloides, its metabolites
and neem (Azadirachta indica) leaf ethanolic extract
on germination of the seeds and seedling vigour. Among the
fungi genera isolated from the seeds samples were
Aspergillus spp. (41.18%), Fusarium spp. (29.41%)
and Rhizopus spp. (23.53%). F. verticilloides
metabolite was extracted using dichloromethane and
phosphoric acid (10:1) while powdered neem leaf was
extracted with ethanol for 72 h. The experiment, which was
made up of eight treatments and three replicates, was set up
in a germination chamber. At 9 days after sowing (9 DAS),
the seeds applied with combined F. verticilloides
mycelia and their metabolites had the least germination
percentage (30%), the highest rot-index (3.5) and the least
seedling vigour (0.93). The seeds applied with neem extract
only had the highest germination percentage of 100%, the
least rot index (0.5) and seedling vigour index (5.4).
Though neem leaf extract proved to be fungitoxic against
F. verticilloides, further investigation on the
pathogenic mode of action of fusariotoxin on germination and
growth of cereal crops on the field is necessary.
Key
words:
Fusarium verticilloides, metabolites, neem leaf
extract, germination, vigour indices, maize. |
