Mycoflora Compositions of Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) Grains from Eastern Region of Kenya

Abstract

Sorghum is an important cereal crop produced as staple food in Eastern region of Kenya prone to fungal infection. Mycological examination on farm surveyed 150 sorghum grains samples (each weighing 250 g) of improved variety (Gadam-greyish grains) and a landrace (reddish grains) from farmers at Machakos, Makueni, Kibwezi East and West which are semi arid low lands. Mycoflora culturing on grains was by direct plating method on potato dextrose agar (PDA) for Aspergillus and Penicillium spp. while malachite green agar 2.5 (MGA 2.5) for Fusarium spp. Sorghum grains were infected with mycoflora composition of Aspergillus, Fusarium and Penicillium genera. Aspergillus and Fusarium species had a high percentage frequency and relative frequency of fungi isolates from improved varieties and a few in landraces. Penicillium species had a lowest percentage and relative frequencies isolates on both the improved and landraces sorghum varieties. Significant difference was observed between the frequency of fungi isolates from the improved and landraces of sorghum grains. These results indicate possible health hazards for humans and animals consumption of such infected food grain with a composition of mycoflora.