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Published:
Oct 29, 2026DOI:
10.4314/mejs.v18i2.1Keywords:
Article Details
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Main Article Content
Biocontrol Potential of Native Trichoderma Species against Fusarium verticillioides and Fumonisin Contamination of Maize
Hadush Tsehaye
Leif Sundheim
Abstract
Fusarium verticillioides is the most prevalent fungal pathogen of maize, causing stalk and ear rot diseases and producing fumonisins, toxic secondary metabolites harmful to humans and animals. This study evaluated the biological control potential of Trichoderma species against this pathogen under both in vitro and field conditions. A total of 18 Trichoderma isolates were tested in vitro for their antagonistic potential against the pathogen using the dual culture interaction. Based on percent radial growth inhibition, eleven Trichoderma isolates were selected for further evaluation under field conditions using seed biopriming for controlling F. verticillioides and fumonisin contamination of maize grains. The field experiment was arranged in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Dual culture assays showed that all 18 Trichoderma isolates significantly (p < 0.05) inhibited the mycelial growth of F. verticillioides, with inhibition ranging from 34.45% to 77.78%. T. harzianum isolates (Thr1 and Thr2) and T. hamatum isolates (Thm5 and Thm6) showed the highest antagonistic activity against the pathogen in vitro. Field experiments conducted over two cropping seasons demonstrated that Trichoderma treatments significantly (p < 0.05) reduced kernel fungi colonization by 38.3–86.4% and fumonisin contamination by 44–89.8% compared with the untreated control. Trichoderma harzianum strains (Thr2, Thr5 and Thr6) and T. hamatum strains (Thm3 and Thm6) were the most effective compared to others. In addition, Trichoderma-treated plots exhibited improved germination, seedling vigor, seed weight, and grain yield. These results demonstrate the strong potential of native Trichoderma isolates as biological control agents for managing Fusarium infection and fumonisin contamination in maize.
