Recent advances in the population biology and management of maize foliar fungal pathogens Exserohilum turcicum, Cercospora zeina and Bipolaris maydis in Africa
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Date
Authors
Nsibo, David Livingstone
Barnes, Irene
Berger, David Kenneth
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Frontiers Media
Abstract
Maize is the most widely cultivated and major security crop in sub-Saharan Africa.
Three foliar diseases threaten maize production on the continent, namely
northern leaf blight, gray leaf spot, and southern corn leaf blight. These are
caused by the fungi Exserohilum turcicum, Cercospora zeina, and Bipolaris
maydis, respectively. Yield losses of more than 10% can occur if these
pathogens are diagnosed inaccurately or managed ineffectively. Here, we
review recent advances in understanding the population biology and
management of the three pathogens, which are present in Africa and thrive
under similar environmental conditions during a single growing season. To
effectively manage these pathogens, there is an increasing adoption of
breeding for resistance at the small-scale level combined with cultural
practices. Fungicide usage in African cropping systems is limited due to high
costs and avoidance of chemical control. Currently, there is limited knowledge
available on the population biology and genetics of these pathogens in Africa.
The evolutionary potential of these pathogens to overcome host resistance has
not been fully established. There is a need to conduct large-scale sampling of
isolates to study their diversity and trace their migration patterns across
the continent.
Description
Keywords
Africa, Maize, Setosphaeria turcica, Cochliobolus heterostrophus, Population biology, Northern corn leaf blight, Grey leaf spot, Turcicum leaf blight, SDG-02: Zero hunger
Sustainable Development Goals
SDG-02:Zero Hunger
Citation
Nsibo, D.L., Barnes, I. & Berger, D.K (2024)
Recent advances in the population biology
and management of maize foliar fungal
pathogens Exserohilum turcicum, Cercospora
zeina and Bipolaris maydis in Africa.
Frontiers in Plant Science 15:1404483.
doi: 10.3389/fpls.2024.1404483.