Revista de Patología Vegetal y Microbiología

Abstracto

On Farm Pre Harvest Agronomic Management Practices of Aspergillus Infection on Groundnut in Abergelle, Tigray

Gebreselassie R, Dereje A and Solomon H

Aspergillus infection and subsequent contamination of groundnut with Aflatoxin is a major limitation in groundnut production in the study area (Tanqua Abergel,Tigray). This study was executed to evaluate the effect of fertilizer (DAP and gypsum application), tied ridging and supplementary irrigation on Aspergillus infection of groundnut. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications in two sites. DAP as a source of P, and gypsum as source of Ca, were applied at planting and pod setting stages, respectively. While Tied ridging and supplementary irrigation were applied at early flowering and during cessation of rainfall, respectively. Data on incidence and severity levels of Aspergillus infection on sampled kernels were recorded. The analysis of variance indicated that the integrated agronomic management practices showed a significant reduction of Aspergillus flavus infection on groundnut at both experimental sites. The lowest (3%) Aspergillus flavus infection was recorded in management practices where Supplementary irrigation+tied ridging were practiced at Hadinet. The highest Aspergillus flavus infection (17.3%) was recorded in the control. In Lemlem experimental site the lowest Aspergillus flavus infection (4.3%) was recorded in gypsum+supplementary irrigation combination, while highest (19.3%) Aspergillus flavus infection was recorded in control. Application of integrated agronomic management practices did not showed a significant reduction of Aspergillus niger infection at both experimental sites.