Pathogen Risk Analysis of Maize in Bangladesh

Abstract

A field survey was conducted in Bangladesh for pathogen risk analysis of maize and listing of quarantine diseases in 2012 by the Department of Plant Pathology of Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University under a project of QSSP, DAE. Pre-designed questionnaire was used in recording data of maize diseases based on the opinion of farmers and policy level officers of DAE under study area. Focus group discussion was arranged in each district and opinion of the respondents about maize diseases was recorded. Total 100 seed samples were collected throughout the country. Significant seed borne pathogens viz. Aspergillus flavus, A. niger, Penicillium spp., Rhizopus spp. and Fusarium moniliforme and Xanthomonas sp. have been detected through seed health testing. Altogether 17 maize diseases with 30 causal organisms of which 23 fungus, 2 bacteria, 3 virus and 2 nematode was identified as existing maize disease and pathogen of Bangladesh. Maize diseases of exporting countries were documented and a list of pathogen prepared to conduct pathogen risk analysis of Bangladesh. Pathogen risk analysis was done following the guideline of ISPM-2, ISPM-11 and ISPM-21 constituted by FAO. Sixteen pathogens were identified on maize grain from the maize exporting countries which have quarantine risk to Bangladesh and ten pathogens viz. Phymatotrichopsis omnivore, Cercospora zeae-maydis, Maize dwarf mosaic potyvirus, High Plains virus, Wheat streak mosaic rymovirus, Sclerospora graminicola, Phymatotrichopsis omnivore, Maize chlorotic mottle machlomovirus, Pantoea stewartii subsp. Stewartii, Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. nebraskensis were found as highly quarantine concern for maize farming in Bangladesh.

Economics of maize cultivation at selected intensive areas of Bangladesh

“…Farmers reported that insect infestation, mainly cutworm and fall armyworm, which was new in that area, was another problem in maize cultivation. In a study, it stated that there were many maize diseases (17) and causal organisms (30) identified in Bangladesh (Faruq et al, 2014), though it did not hamper maize cultivation. However, in drought-prone regions, it was hard to cultivate maize, though its cultivation was increasing day by day.…”