A survey of pre-harvest ear rot diseases of maize and associated mycotoxins in south and central Zambia

International Journal of Food Microbiology
Mweshi MukangaMark D Laing

Abstract

Maize ear rots reduce grain yield and quality with implication on food security and health. Some of the pathogenic fungi produce mycotoxins in maize grain posing a health risk to humans and livestock. Unfortunately, the levels of ear rot and mycotoxin infection in grain produced by subsistence farmers in sub-Saharan countries are not known. A survey was thus conducted to determine the prevalence of the ear rot problem and levels of mycotoxins in maize grain. A total of 114 farmsteads were randomly sampled from 11 districts in Lusaka and southern provinces in Zambia during 2006. Ten randomly picked cobs were examined per farmstead and the ear rot disease incidence and severity were estimated on site. This was followed by the standard seed health testing procedures for fungal isolation in the laboratory. Results indicated that the dominant ear rots were caused by Fusarium and Stenocarpella. Incidence of Fusarium verticillioides ranged from 2 to 21%, whereas that of Stenocarpella maydis reached 37% on ear rot diseased maize grain. In addition, 2-7% F. verticillioides, and 3-18% Aspergillus flavus, respectively, were recovered from seemingly healthy maize grain. The mean rank of fungal species, from highest to lowest, was F. vertic...Continue Reading

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Citations

Feb 28, 2014·The Journal of Veterinary Medical Science·Wageh Sobhy DarwishMayumi Ishizuka
Oct 16, 2014·Food Additives & Contaminants. Part A, Chemistry, Analysis, Control, Exposure & Risk Assessment·Meng FuJingao Dong
Apr 15, 2016·Food Additives & Contaminants. Part B, Surveillance·Congcong GuoJingao Dong
Mar 17, 2017·Journal of Applied Microbiology·P W KachapululaP J Cotty
Aug 12, 2017·Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition·J M MisihairabgwiR Krska
Mar 11, 2020·Toxins·Zagorka SavićFerenc Bagi
Oct 20, 2018·Frontiers in Microbiology·Brett LaneCharles P Woloshuk
Jun 28, 2019·Frontiers in Microbiology·Paola GiorniPaola Battilani
Nov 1, 2017·Frontiers in Public Health·Carina LadeiraOrish Ebere Orisakwe
Jul 1, 2017·Journal of Stored Products Research·Brett Lane, Charles Woloshuk
May 11, 2020·Fungal Genetics and Biology : FG & B·Todd A NaumannNeil P J Price

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