RESPONSE OF SOIL FUNGAL POPULATION TO A FUNGICIDE FORMULATION AT THE SPERMOSPHERE OF MAIZE

• S. A. Adejoro

  Department of Crop, Soil and Pest Management, The Federal University of Technology, P.M.B 704, Akure, Nigeria

  Author

• J. D. Makinde

  Department of Crop, Soil and Pest Management, The Federal University of Technology, P.M.B 704, Akure, Nigeria

  Author

A laboratory and a screenhouse experiments were respectively conducted to assess the effects of the fungicide Apron Star containing thiamenthoxam (20%), metalaxyl (20%), and carbendazim (10%) on maize spermosphere microbial community, as well as on maize seedling performance. Soil was sampled from the spermosphere of fungicide-dressed maize seeds planted in plastic jars in the laboratory and analyzed to determine fungal population. Germination and seedling growth of maize seeds treated with fungicide, and planted in plastic pots in the screehouse were also monitored. Results indicated that fungicide reduced fungal population in the bulk soil whereas fungal population was stimulated by the interaction of fungicide with the maize seed spermosphere. Results further showed that treatment of seeds with fungicide before planting significantly enhanced seedling establishment (30.9% increase in plant height at 4 weeks after planting). It was therefore concluded that Apron Star is potent against pathogenic fungi that may adversely affect maize seed germination and seedling establishment. Furthermore, application of this fungicide as seed dressing agent is not likely to pose an overall detrimental effect on the soil community of bacteria and fungi.

1. S. A. Adejoro, Department of Crop, Soil and Pest Management, The Federal University of Technology, P.M.B 704, Akure, Nigeria

   Department of Crop, Soil and Pest Management, The Federal University of Technology, P.M.B 704, Akure, Nigeria

2. J. D. Makinde, Department of Crop, Soil and Pest Management, The Federal University of Technology, P.M.B 704, Akure, Nigeria

   Department of Crop, Soil and Pest Management, The Federal University of Technology, P.M.B 704, Akure, Nigeria

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