Host range and seed borne nature of Pokkah boeng disease of maize caused by Fusarium verticillioides

Abstract

Maize (Zea mays L.) is a globally significant crop cultivated for food, feed and industrial uses. However, its productivity is increasingly threatened by Pokkah boeng disease (PBD), an emerging disease caused by Fusarium speciescomplex. Originally a sugarcane pathogen, Fusarium species have recently expanded their host range to maize and sorghum,causing notable losses in warm, humid regions of India. The present study investigated the host range and seed-borne natureof F. verticillioides associated with PBD of maize. Host range evaluation under field and glasshouse conditions revealed thatsorghum and fodder maize exhibited the highest disease incidence (80%), while pearl millet showed the least (20%). Eightspecies were identified as susceptible hosts, whereas nine, including perennial sorghum, fodder sugarcane, and wheat,remained symptomless, indicating potential resistance. Seed pathology assays confirmed F. verticillioides infection throughall standard detection methods, with maximum infection observed in the pin-prick (56.67%) and agar plate (53.33%)techniques. The pathogen was successfully transmitted from infected seeds to seedlings, confirming its seed-borne nature. These findings highlight F. verticillioides as a major threat to maize production, emphasizing the need for seed healthsurveillance, resistance breeding, and integrated management strategies to contain Pokkah boeng disease.