Determination of the Effect of Chinaberry Tree (Melia azedarach L.) Leaf and Fruit Extracts on Germination of Maize (Zea mays L.) Seeds Infected with Fusarium verticillioides

Maize (Zea mays L.) is one of the important and basic cereal crops in the world. Fusarium verticillioides is one of the most important pathogens causing root, stalk, ear rot, and seedling blight diseases in maize. In recent years, the restriction of the use of most chemical fungicides has led to the importance of research on plant resistance inducers. Different parts of the Melia azedarach L., such as bark, leaf, seeds, and root have very strong medicinal value, and the seeds of this species can also be used in the production of fungicides and pesticides in agricultural products. In this study investigated the effects of Melia azedarach leaf and fruit extracts on Kale (F1) corn seeds infected with Fusarium verticillioides. Six different applications (Positive Control, Negative Control, Fruit Extract, Leaf Extract, Fruit Extract + GA3, Leaf Extract + GA3) were established in a randomized plot design with three replications. According to the results, the highest value for germination rate on the 3rd day was 67.78% in the negative control group, and the highest value for germination rate on the 7th day was obtained in the positive control 77.77% and negative control 74.44%. In terms of Fusarium contamination rates, the highest values on the 3rd and 7th days were found to be 36.67% and 50.00% in the fruit extract group, respectively. Root length was determined as the highest value at 47.03 mm in the leaf extract group and the lowest value at 16.00 mm in the fruit extract + GA3 group. In shoot length, leaf extract gave the best results at 57.13 mm and leaf extract + GA3 as 49.23 mm. The findings show that Melia azedarach extracts have positive effects on germination and growth in Fusarium-infected seeds. It is thought that this natural solution may provide positive contributions to maize cultivation.