title: Biocontrol agentFusarium oxysporumf.sp.strigaehas no adverse effect on indigenous total fungal communities and specific AMF taxa in contrasting maize rhizospheres.
abstract: We studied the effects ofFusarium oxysporumf.sp.strigae(Fos), a soil-borne biocontrol agent (BCA) againstStriga hermonthica, on total fungal and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal (AMF) taxa in rhizospheres of maize in both clayey and sandy soil. Effects of Fos-BCA 'Foxy-2' were evaluated against (1)S. hermonthicapresence, and (2) organic fertilization withTithonia diversifoliaresidues at 14, 28 and 42 d after 'Foxy-2' inoculation, via DNA-based quantitative PCR and TRFLP fingerprinting. In both soils, 'Foxy-2' occasionally promoted total fungal abundance, while the community composition was mainly altered byT. diversifoliaandS. hermonthica. Notably, 'Foxy-2' stimulated AMFGigaspora margaritaabundance, whileG. margaritawas suppressed byS. hermonthica. Total fungal and AMF abundance were promoted byT. diversifoliaresidues. In conclusion, 'Foxy-2' resulted in no adverse effects on indigenous rhizosphere fungal communities substantiating its environmental safety as BCA againstS. hermonthica.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Agricultural Sciences in the Tropics (Hans-Ruthenberg-Institute), University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany.
authors.forename: Judith
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zimmermann
authors.affiliation: Institute of Agricultural Sciences in the Tropics (Hans-Ruthenberg-Institute), University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany.
authors.forename: Mary K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Musyoki
authors.affiliation: Institute of Agricultural Sciences in the Tropics (Hans-Ruthenberg-Institute), University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany.
authors.forename: Georg
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Cadisch
authors.affiliation: Institute of Agricultural Sciences in the Tropics (Hans-Ruthenberg-Institute), University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany.
authors.forename: Frank
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Rasche
keywords: Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi; Biological control agent; Environmental safety; Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. strigae; Non-target rhizosphere fungi; Striga hermonthica