Characterization Of Soil Fungi Capable Of Striga Seed Bank Depletion Under In Vitro Conditions

Striga hermonthica (Del.) Benth is an obligate hemi-parasitic plant which severely threatens cereal production. Therefore, the use of soil-borne antagonists for Striga seedbank depletion is one of the useful control methods suggested for integrated pest management (IPM). The objectives of this study were to preliminary screen and evaluate effective soil fungi that are capable of decaying Striga seed using seed trap method. From the soil samples showing seed decay, fungi were isolated and characterized using standard methods. The effect of fungal spores to inhibit Striga seeds germination was also tested using synthetic stimulant GR-24 and was further studied using sorghum variety Teshale. Besides, effects of fungal spore on Striga seeds viability were also studied. Soil samples collected from Tahtay Adiabo (E22) showed the highest Striga seed decay (19.8%) whereas soil samples collected from Raya-Kobo (E46) showed the lowest activity (3.6%). A total of 43 fungal isolates were collected from the soil of which 20 isolates decayed more than 50% of the Striga seeds. Genus Fusarium was the dominant and only ten further characterized. All isolates were showed maximum mycelium dry weight at 25oC and different mycelium dry weight at different hydrogen ion concentration (pH). Effects of fungal isolate on Striga seeds germination inhibition using sorghum variety Teshale as test crop revealed that there were significant (p

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