Ear rot diseases in maize (Zea mays L.), associated mycotoxins, and management practices in Ethiopia: A review

Maize (Zea mays L.) ear rots are common diseases in maize production and result in severe yield reduction and mycotoxin contamination in Ethiopia. Mycotoxins are a serious, multifaceted economic problem, and maize is one of the major crops most commonly affected by mycotoxins. Ear rot diseases and subsequent mycotoxin contamination begin at the preharvest level. Studies from different parts of the developed countries have quantified pre- and postharvest mycotoxin contamination levels and set maximum levels of mycotoxins for consumer safety. Much consideration should be given to maize ear rot because only healthy ears and kernels can guarantee high grain yield and quality. Moreover, the global increase in the prevalence of Fusarium fujikuroi species complex over the last decades, particularly the high prevalence of F. verticillioides in Ethiopia, is demanding a solution among maize researchers in the country. Hence, a significant effort in ear rot disease mitigation through pre- and postharvest crop management is necessary to reduce future risks following available research, as described in this review. The awareness of farmers about the occurrence of ear rot and mycotoxins to recognize ear rot diseases and to discard visibly diseased maize kernels from the bulk of the maize is of great concern. Furthermore, appropriate pre- and postharvest management practices developed, including suitable companion cropping systems, soil amendments, the use of ear rot-resistant or tolerant maize varieties, and the need for improved harvesting time and postharvest handling practices (field drying, shelling, sorting, and storage technologies), have been discussed to control mycotoxigenic fungi and subsequent mycotoxin contamination to reduce their impact on maize development sectors in Ethiopia.