Role of soil and crop residues as sources of inoculum for Fusarium head blight of wheat
Abstract
153 words
A field survey was carried out in Narok County, Kenya, at hard dough growth stage (GS 65-
69) during the 2013 cropping season and sampling done in 51 wheat farms in different agroecological
zones. Samples of soil and crop residues were collected in each farm for isolation
of Fusarium head blight (FHB) pathogens. Isolation of Fusarium spp. from the crop debris
and soil was done on low strength potato dextrose agar modified with minerals and antibiotics
and the fungi identified based on their morphological and cultural characteristics. The major
Fusarium spp. isolated from soil were F. oxysporum and F. proliferatum while F.
chlamydosporum while F. graminearum were isolated from crop residues. The incidence
of Fusarium spp. in crop residues and soil significantly (p d” 0.05) varied among agroecological
zones (AEZs). The high prevalence of FHB in Narok County could be linked to
the high incidence of Fusarium spp. in crop residues and soil.
Subjects
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