Water Restriction in artificial inoculation for Fusarium verticillioides in maize seeds

Abstract

The water restriction has been used in culture medium in order to inhibit or delay seed germination of seeds. Aiming the Fusarium verticillioides inoculation in maize seeds, were assessed the effects of water restriction at BDA(potato-dextrose-ágar)+KCl and BDA+NaCl in potentiales of -0.6, -0.8, - 1.0, -1.2 MPa, comparing mycelial growth and Fusarium verticillioides conidial production, infected seeds percentage, inoculated seed germination andtransmission of the fungus maize. There was no significant difference of conidia production of F. verticillioides and germination of inoculated seeds. At BDA + KCl between -0.6 and -1.0 MPa and BDA + NaCl of -0.6 and -0.8 MPa favors mycelial growth of F. verticillioides. The technique of using water restriction solutes NaCl and KCl is effective in artificial inoculation of corn seeds with F. verticillioides. The BDA + BDA + NaCl and KCl, both in the potential of -1.2 MPa, allows 90% transmission of F. verticillioides inoculated seed to culms and roots.