Application of bioinoculants in combating Striga Hermonthica (Del.) Benth infestation in maize

Abstract Background Striga hermonthica (Del.) Benth is an obligate root parasitic flowering plant capable of causing 30–90% yield loss in cereal fields thereby constituting a huge threat to food security. Despite its economic importance, effective and eco-friendly management measures for this weed h...

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Main Authors: Akinlolu Olalekan Akanmu, Olubukola Oluranti Babalola, Ayansina Segun Ayangbenro, Funso Raphael Kutu, Jude J.O. Odhiambo
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-08-01
Series:BMC Microbiology
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12866-025-04264-1
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author Akinlolu Olalekan Akanmu
Olubukola Oluranti Babalola
Ayansina Segun Ayangbenro
Funso Raphael Kutu
Jude J.O. Odhiambo
author_facet Akinlolu Olalekan Akanmu
Olubukola Oluranti Babalola
Ayansina Segun Ayangbenro
Funso Raphael Kutu
Jude J.O. Odhiambo
author_sort Akinlolu Olalekan Akanmu
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Striga hermonthica (Del.) Benth is an obligate root parasitic flowering plant capable of causing 30–90% yield loss in cereal fields thereby constituting a huge threat to food security. Despite its economic importance, effective and eco-friendly management measures for this weed have not yet been found. Hence, this study explores the application of bioinoculants in combating S. hermonthica infestation in maize. A total of 63 bacteria isolates originally obtained from maize rhizosphere were screened for ammonia production, siderophore production, phosphate solubilization, 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate (ACC) deaminase activity, and ethylene gas quantification using standard protocols. The screened bacteria isolates were subjected to both in-vitro and in-vivo experiments arranged in a completely randomized design (CRD) with three replications, to investigate the potential of the screened bioinoculant to combat against infestation in maize. Data gathered on the growth, biomass, and stalk lodging caused by Striga infestation were subjected to ANOVA analysis at p ≤ 0.05. Results A total of 11 prospective bioinoculants were derived from the Plant-Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR) and ethylene productions, while the in-vitro and in-vivo evaluation showed that isolates; B2 (Enterobacter asburiae OR044418), B3 (Enterobacter chengduensis, OR044419), B4 (Priestia aryabhattai OR044420), B7 (Priestia megaterium OR044423), NWUAB 12 (Pseudomonas koreensis MH399240), enhanced both growth and biomass production and exhibited strong biocontrol potential against Striga. Their performances in managing the Striga-induced damage to maize shows B3 (Enterobacter chengduensis) > B7 (Priestia megaterium) > B2 (Enterobacter asburiae) > NWUAB 12 (Pseudomonas koreensis) > B4 (Priestia aryabhattai) as the order of performance. Conclusion This research demonstrated that bioinoculants hold great promise in controlling Striga infestation.
format Article
id doaj-art-8ee6c7e5ee8d4c7d9e4e92a813cf1eec
institution Kabale University
issn 1471-2180
language English
publishDate 2025-08-01
publisher BMC
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series BMC Microbiology
spelling doaj-art-8ee6c7e5ee8d4c7d9e4e92a813cf1eec2025-08-20T04:03:12ZengBMCBMC Microbiology1471-21802025-08-0125111110.1186/s12866-025-04264-1Application of bioinoculants in combating Striga Hermonthica (Del.) Benth infestation in maizeAkinlolu Olalekan Akanmu0Olubukola Oluranti Babalola1Ayansina Segun Ayangbenro2Funso Raphael Kutu3Jude J.O. Odhiambo4Food Security and Safety Focus Area, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, North-West UniversityFood Security and Safety Focus Area, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, North-West UniversityFood Security and Safety Focus Area, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, North-West UniversitySchool of Agricultural Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Sciences, University of MpumalangaDepartment of Plant and Soil Sciences, Faculty of Science, Engineering and Agriculture, University of VendaAbstract Background Striga hermonthica (Del.) Benth is an obligate root parasitic flowering plant capable of causing 30–90% yield loss in cereal fields thereby constituting a huge threat to food security. Despite its economic importance, effective and eco-friendly management measures for this weed have not yet been found. Hence, this study explores the application of bioinoculants in combating S. hermonthica infestation in maize. A total of 63 bacteria isolates originally obtained from maize rhizosphere were screened for ammonia production, siderophore production, phosphate solubilization, 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate (ACC) deaminase activity, and ethylene gas quantification using standard protocols. The screened bacteria isolates were subjected to both in-vitro and in-vivo experiments arranged in a completely randomized design (CRD) with three replications, to investigate the potential of the screened bioinoculant to combat against infestation in maize. Data gathered on the growth, biomass, and stalk lodging caused by Striga infestation were subjected to ANOVA analysis at p ≤ 0.05. Results A total of 11 prospective bioinoculants were derived from the Plant-Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR) and ethylene productions, while the in-vitro and in-vivo evaluation showed that isolates; B2 (Enterobacter asburiae OR044418), B3 (Enterobacter chengduensis, OR044419), B4 (Priestia aryabhattai OR044420), B7 (Priestia megaterium OR044423), NWUAB 12 (Pseudomonas koreensis MH399240), enhanced both growth and biomass production and exhibited strong biocontrol potential against Striga. Their performances in managing the Striga-induced damage to maize shows B3 (Enterobacter chengduensis) > B7 (Priestia megaterium) > B2 (Enterobacter asburiae) > NWUAB 12 (Pseudomonas koreensis) > B4 (Priestia aryabhattai) as the order of performance. Conclusion This research demonstrated that bioinoculants hold great promise in controlling Striga infestation.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12866-025-04264-1ACC deaminaseEco-friendly managementEthylene productionFood securityPGPR
spellingShingle Akinlolu Olalekan Akanmu
Olubukola Oluranti Babalola
Ayansina Segun Ayangbenro
Funso Raphael Kutu
Jude J.O. Odhiambo
Application of bioinoculants in combating Striga Hermonthica (Del.) Benth infestation in maize
BMC Microbiology
ACC deaminase
Eco-friendly management
Ethylene production
Food security
PGPR
title Application of bioinoculants in combating Striga Hermonthica (Del.) Benth infestation in maize
title_full Application of bioinoculants in combating Striga Hermonthica (Del.) Benth infestation in maize
title_fullStr Application of bioinoculants in combating Striga Hermonthica (Del.) Benth infestation in maize
title_full_unstemmed Application of bioinoculants in combating Striga Hermonthica (Del.) Benth infestation in maize
title_short Application of bioinoculants in combating Striga Hermonthica (Del.) Benth infestation in maize
title_sort application of bioinoculants in combating striga hermonthica del benth infestation in maize
topic ACC deaminase
Eco-friendly management
Ethylene production
Food security
PGPR
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12866-025-04264-1
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