Improving Trichoderma harzianum's Efficiency in Combatting Late Wilt Disease in Maize with Chitosan and Chitosan Nanoparticles. | ||
| Minia Journal of Agricultural Research and Development | ||
| Volume 45, Issue 4, December 2025, Pages 1019-1048 PDF (1.14 M) | ||
| DOI: 10.21608/mjard.2025.465647 | ||
| Abstract | ||
| In developing nations, maize (Zea mays L.) is a vital grain crop. Magnaporthiopsis maydis is the fungus that causes maize late wilt, it is considered a serious fungal disease in Egypt. El-Minia isolate-2 was the most virulent one on Boushy cv. maize in vivo. M. maydis growth on PDA plates in vitro was strongly reduced by chitosan and chitosan nanoparticles (chitosan-NPs) at 50, 100, 150, and 200 ppm. Trichoderma harzianum mycelium growth remains strongly unaffected by chitosan concentrations from 50 to 150 ppm, while it decreases significantly at concentrations up to 200 ppm. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) showed that M. maydis and T. harzianum mycelium cell membranes are structurally altered by chitosan and chitosan NPs. TEM images of ultrathin slices showed M. maydis mycelium with partial cell -wall lysis and membrane shrinkage. Chitosan NPs damaged fungal cell walls and membranes, killing cells, while the non-treated control had well-defined organelles. T. harzianum and chitosan nanoparticles at tested concentrations (individually or in combinations) improved plant resistance to pathogen and significantly reduced the disease incidance. Furthermore, these treatments increased β-1,3-glucanase, peroxidase, and catalase enzyme activities in maize leaves compared to both infected and uninfected control. In the 2024 growing season, T. harzianum and chitosan NPs at 150 ppm were the most effective treatment for increasing enzyme activities, mitigating late wilt disease, and improving maize growth parameters and yield components at Gemmieza and Malawy Research Stations. | ||
| Keywords | ||
| : late wilt disease; Magnaporthiopsis maydis; Trichoderma harzianum; Chitosan; Chitosan nanoparticles; Enzyme activities | ||
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