EFFICACY OF SELECTED BOTANICALS AND MICROBIAL AGENTS AS ECO-FRIENDLY PROTECTANTS AGAINST Fusarium verticillioides (Sacc.) NIRENBERG EAR-ROT DISEASE OF MAIZE, Zea mays L.

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Maize (Zea mays L) is the third most important cereal crop in the tropics (CIMMYT, 2004). It is an important grain crop in the world due to its ability to produce economic yields under the marginal production conditions of low soil fertility and management (FAO, 2005). Total world production of maize in 2011 was estimated at 817,110,509 MT. Nigeria‘s share of the production is 9, 180, 270 MT (FAOSTAT, 2011). It is a food crop of economic significance and nutritional importance in the human diet; as a major staple food of the people, animal feed, fodder crop and raw materials for industries. Demands for maize have always exceeded its supply in Nigeria, indicating the need for higher productivity in terms of quantity and quality (Smale et al., 2011). Conventional maize is a poor-quality staple food; unless consumed as part of a varied diet – which is beyond the means of most people in the developing world. But, Quality protein maize (QPM), new release of maize variety(ies), produces 70 to 100% ore of lysine and tryptophan and yields 10% more grain than most varieties of tropical maize (Vasal, 2000). These two amino acids allow the body to manufacture complete proteins, thereby eliminating wet-malnutrition (kwashiorkor). In addition tryptophan can be converted in the body to niacin, which theoretically reduces the incidence of pellagra. QPM offers 90% of the nutritional value of skim milk (typical Composition for Skim Milk Powder Lactose 49.5 – 52.0%, Protein 34.0 – 37.0%, Ash 8.2 – 8.6%, Moisture 3.0 – 4.0%, fat 0.6 – 1.25% and essential Amino acids (g/100g protein): Isoleucine 2.19, Leucine 3.54, Lysine 2.87, Methionine 0.91 and Phenylalanine 1.75), the standard for adequate nutritional value (Hugo, 2000; Olakojo et al., 2007; Upadhyay et al., 2009). These qualities make QPM to be more preferred and highly recommended for consumption.

Maize is highly susceptible to both pests and parasites that cause pre- and post harvest losses which leads to great economic losses in Nigeria (Samuel et al., 2011). Fusarium ear rot of maize is among the destructive diseases in many areas of the country and most maize growing areas in the world. Anon (1985) reported a range of 5 – 40% infected fields in the tropics.

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EFFICACY OF SELECTED BOTANICALS AND MICROBIAL AGENTS AS ECO-FRIENDLY PROTECTANTS AGAINST Fusarium verticillioides (Sacc.) NIRENBERG EAR-ROT DISEASE OF MAIZE, Zea mays L.

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