DISCOVERY OF AN ISOLATE OF FUSARIUM-OXYSPORUM WITH POTENTIAL TO CONTROL STRIGA-HERMONTHICA IN AFRICA

Native fungi of West Africa were evaluated as a means to control Strig a hermonthica (Del.) Benth., a troublesome parasitic weed of several g ramineous crops. An isolate of Fusarium oxysporum, grown on sorghum st raw and incorporated into pots, successfully prevented all emergence o f S. hermonthica, and resulted in a 400% increase of sorghum dry weigh t. The fungus inhibited germination and attachment of S. hermonthica t o sorghum roots in Plexiglas root chambers. Several crop species, incl uding sorghum, inoculated with the fungus showed neither any disease s ymptoms nor any reduction in biomass.