Effects of AFB1 and <i>Aspergillus flavus</i> Spores on Root Rhizospheric Fungal Population, Seedling Emergence, Plant Growth, and Yield
2025
Simangele C. Ngwenya | Nkanyiso J. Sithole | Doctor M. N. Mthiyane | Mulunda Mwanza | Damian C. Onwudiwe | Khosi Ramachela
Maize is susceptible to fungal infections that can lead to aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) contamination, and this could have dire consequences on plant growth and yield. The objectives of this study were to determine the effects of AFB1 and the <i>Aspergillus flavus</i> fungus on root rhizospheric fungal population, maize seedling emergence, growth, and yield. A randomized complete block design (RCBD) experiment was conducted in two sites in 5 (AFB1/<i>A. flavus</i> spores’ treatments) × 3 replicates of 12 pots per experimental unit. This study showed that there was a significant (<i>p</i> < 0.05) increase in the colony forming unit (CFU) with the increase in <i>A. flavus</i> in the soil and a significant effect on reducing soil pH. It was observed that in all the maize that was exposed to AFB1 and <i>A. flavus</i> spores, there was a significant linear decrease in emergence percentage and speed of emergence with the increase in AFB1 and <i>A. flavus</i> spores in the soil, whereby the maize that was exposed to 320 ppb/kg of AFB1 also reported the lowest emergence percentage (51.4%), emergence rate index (5.0), and emergence speed (2.06). AFB1 also exerted a depressive effect on plant height and number of leaves, thus reducing the grain yield per plant. This study showed that <i>A. flavus</i> had a non-significant effect on growth and yield in maize when compared to AFB1.
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