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<p>Maize plays significant role in ensuring food security for millions of rural communities in Ethiopia. However, foliar diseases such as turcicum leaf blight and gray leaf spot caused by <i>Exserohilum turcicum</i> and <i>Cercospora zeae-maydis</i>, respectively cause significant yield losses. The variability of these fungal pathogens is not well understood in southwest Ethiopia. This study aimed to identify, characterize and evaluate variability in pathogenicity of these fungi. Maize leaf samples infected with pathogens were collected from two districts during the main cropping season of 2019–2020. A total of 40 fungal isolates were examined for cultural, morphological characteristics, and pathogen variability. The results confirmed that <i>E. turcicum</i> and <i>C. zeae-maydis</i> were the causal agents of the foliar diseases. The isolates showed distinct cultural and morphological features on potato dextrose agar. Isolates of <i>E. turcicum</i> showed variations in mycelium color and growth patterns, primarily grayish with white shades and black with colony shapes of floccose and round. <i>C. zeae-maydis</i> isolates appeared pink and red, with round and curled shapes. Variation in mycelial growth rate was observed between isolates of <i>E. turcicum</i> (4.20–7.33&#xa0;mm/day) and <i>C. zeae-maydis</i> (7.17–8.60&#xa0;mm/day). Based on microscopic examination, <i>E. turcicum</i> conidia were categorized into elongated, curved, and spindle shaped, while <i>C. zeae-maydis</i> predominantly straight. The variations in pathogenicity and disease progression among isolates of each fungal species in our study informed approach to disease management posed by different pathogens. This further suggests that breeding efforts for developing disease-resistant maize varieties should consider multiple isolates of these fungal pathogens.</p>

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Foliar disease-causing fungal isolates associated with maize: pathogen variability and species attributes in Southwestern Ethiopia

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2025年9月13日

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  • Asnake Abera,
  • Esayas Mendesil,
  • Jibril Temesgen,
  • Wakuma Bayissa

摘要

Maize plays significant role in ensuring food security for millions of rural communities in Ethiopia. However, foliar diseases such as turcicum leaf blight and gray leaf spot caused by Exserohilum turcicum and Cercospora zeae-maydis, respectively cause significant yield losses. The variability of these fungal pathogens is not well understood in southwest Ethiopia. This study aimed to identify, characterize and evaluate variability in pathogenicity of these fungi. Maize leaf samples infected with pathogens were collected from two districts during the main cropping season of 2019–2020. A total of 40 fungal isolates were examined for cultural, morphological characteristics, and pathogen variability. The results confirmed that E. turcicum and C. zeae-maydis were the causal agents of the foliar diseases. The isolates showed distinct cultural and morphological features on potato dextrose agar. Isolates of E. turcicum showed variations in mycelium color and growth patterns, primarily grayish with white shades and black with colony shapes of floccose and round. C. zeae-maydis isolates appeared pink and red, with round and curled shapes. Variation in mycelial growth rate was observed between isolates of E. turcicum (4.20–7.33 mm/day) and C. zeae-maydis (7.17–8.60 mm/day). Based on microscopic examination, E. turcicum conidia were categorized into elongated, curved, and spindle shaped, while C. zeae-maydis predominantly straight. The variations in pathogenicity and disease progression among isolates of each fungal species in our study informed approach to disease management posed by different pathogens. This further suggests that breeding efforts for developing disease-resistant maize varieties should consider multiple isolates of these fungal pathogens.