Seed protectant potential of Zucccagnia punctata tincture on Fusarium verticillioides

JIMÉNEZ, C.M.; SAMPIETRO, D.A.; SGARIGLIA, M.A.; SOBERÓN, J.R. ; VATTUONE, M.A.

San Miguel de Tucumán

Congreso; XXXII Annual Scientific Meeting of Tucuman Biology Society - THIRD JOINT MEETING OF THE BIOLOGY SOCIETIES OF ARGENTINA; 2016

Sociedad de Biología de Tucumán

Fusarium verticillioides is a toxigenic fungus often found in maize grains. Its control is performed before sowing with commercial fungicides, which are not safe for humans or animals. New chemical controls are required. The aim of this work was to evaluate the seed protectant potential of Zucccagnia punctata tincture on F. verticillioides. Maize grains ?diente de caballo? were disinfected with NaClO 0.02 % v/v and then embedded in an aqueous suspension of a leaf tincture of Z. punctata for 50 min. Vendaval Thi-carb fv was used as positive control. Germinative power and root and shoot elongation were evaluated in the treated grains. These grains were subjected to a mycelial colonization assay which was measured with the following scale: 1 (no colonized grain), 2 (colonized grain 1-60%) and 3 (colonization of 61-100%). The tincture prevented 47% mycelial colonization of grains exposed to F. verticillioides and was 14% more effective than Vendaval. The germinative power of grains was 93% irrespective of the assays performed. The tincture increased by 50% the elongation of the embrionary roots and shoots. Secondary roots increased 60% to 75% by the tincture with respect to controls. The Z. puntacta tincture showed a relevant seed protectant power which was slightly higher than that of the commercial fungicide. Neither grain germination nor further early seedling growth were affected.