Seed-Borne Fungi Of Sesame (Sesamum Indicum L.) Seeds In Davanagere District And Their Effect On Germination
 

Nagaraja O.Srikantappa, A.G.Somashekar, G.Malammanavar, M.Krishnappa^*
Department of P.G Studies in Applied Botany, Kuvempu University, Jnanasahyadri Shankaraghatta-577451, Shivamogga, Karnataka, (INDIA)

An investigate to detect the seed-borne fungi of sesame and their effect on germination. Thirty four fungal pathogens against sesame were conducted in the department of Applied Botany, Plant pathology laboratory, Kuvempu University Shivamogga during 2008. A total of twenty eight seed samples were collected from five taluks of Davanagere district. The seed samples were also obtained from fields, farmers, retail shops and APMC markets. Blotter method, potato dextrose agar method, water agar and 2,4-D methods were used for detection of seed-borne fungi of sesame seeds. Altogether thirty four fungi belonging to three genera namely Alternaria alternata, A. sesamicola, Fusarium moniliforme, F. oxysporum, A. tenuis, Verticillium dahliae, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, S. rolfsi, Cercospora sesami, Curvularia lunata, Macrophomina phaseolina, Cladosporium cladosporioides, C. herbarum, C. fulvum, C. chlorocephalum, Acremonium sp., Helminthosporium sp., Gliocladium roseum, Neurospora glabra, Cunigamella elegans, Chaetomium globosum, Stachybotrys chartarum, S. atra, Pestalotia macrotricha, Aspergillus niger, A. flavus, A. ochraceus, A. versicolor, A. terreus, A. candidus, Haplosporangium sp., Penicillium citratum, Rhizopus nigricans, R, stolonifer and Mycella sterilliae were isolated from local variety of sesame seeds. Among all the seed health test methods standard blotter method is most superior for detection of seed-borne fungi over the other methods. All the collected seed samples fields and farmers samples shows higher incidence of pathogenic fungi than others. The effect of seed-borne fungi on germination capacity was evaluated by sand method and rolled paper towel method. The associated fungi decreased the germination potential. All the pathogenic and storage fungi were isolated from abnormal seedlings, un germinated seedlings and rotted seeds.