First report of Trichoderma afroharzianum as a pathogen of maize in India
Harish et al. (2025) first report Trichoderma afroharzianum (EPPO Alert list) as a pathogen of maize (Zea mays) in India. It was reported to cause post flowering stalk rot. Other fungi, such as Fusarium verticillioides and other Fusarium species, have been already recorded as causing stalk rot in maize in India.
Symptomatic maize stalks were collected in 3 states of India in 2022. T. afroharzianum was identified in Karnataka, and T. harzianum in Rajasthan and Telangana. A pathogenicity test was conducted and confirmed Koch’s postulates.
Palavi et al. (2025) also reported Trichoderma ear rot in Karnataka caused by Trichoderma asperellum and T. atroviride.
Sources
Harish J, Prasannakumar MK, Karan R, Venkateshbabu G, Vamsidharreddy N, Pallavi KN, Patil SS, Devanna P, Manjunatha C, Mahesh HB (2025) Trichoderma spp. as a novel pathogen for maize post-flowering stalk rot in India. Crop Protection 195, 107255.
Pallavi KN, Prasannakumar MK, Karan R, Harish J, Mahesh HB, Kavya N, Balasundara DC, Vamsidharreddy N, Ayesha RN (2025) Trichoderma ear rot: insights into grain quality degradation, trichothecene risk and metabolic alterations in maize. Physiological and Molecular Plant Pathology 140, 102911(abst.)