Characterizing Sarocladium and Fusarium spp. diversity and toxin production in rice sheath rot disease in sub-Saharan Africa

Oluwatoyin Afolabi (PhD researcher)

In the framework of characterizing the sheath rot disease of rice in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), this study elucidated the genetic and pathogenic diversity of Sarocladium and Fusarium spp. associated with rice sheath rot disease complex in Mali and Nigeria. Ongoing research includes (a) investigating potential interactions between rice-Sarocladium-Fusarium associated with the disease and the interplay of both in the incidence of the rice sheath rot complex, (b) characterization of major Fusarium mycotoxins produced by individual strains (in vitro), (c) characterization and quantification of Sarocladium-Fusarium toxins produced in planta in single inoculations with both pathogens, and (d) Co-occurrence and antagonistic potentials of both pathogens on other isolated rice- associated pathogens