MAIZE SEED STORAGE MYCOFLORA IN PAKISTAN AND ITS CHEMICAL CONTROL

Abstract

Eleven seed-borne fungal species were recorded in the 18 maize seed samples collected from 6 maize growing districts of Punjab and Khyber-Pakhtoonkhwa, Pakistan. Aspergillus flavus, A. niger and Fusarium moniliforme were the most prevalent species with the incidence range up to 94, 62 & 43%, respectively. Maximum number of fungal species i.e., 10 was observed from Okara, Sahiwal and Nowshehra, 9 from Mansehra, whereas 8 were recorded from Mardan and Pakpattan samples. A comparative study was designed to evaluate eight fungicides to control maize seed mycoflora at the rate of 2.0, 2.5, 3.0 and 3.5 g kg-1. Benlate followed by Thiophanate Methyl and Thiram provided the maximum fungal control at the dose of 3 and 3.5 g kg-1. Maximum germination percentage was attained in case of seed dressing with Benlate followed by Thiram and Thiophanate methyl at the rate of 3g kg-1, which revealed Benlate to be a broad spectrum seed dressing fungicide with no adverse effect on germination.