ACTIVITY OF WATER CONTENT AND STORAGE TEMPERATURE ON THE SEEDBORNE MYCOFLORA OF LENS CULINARIS L. (LENTIL)

Abstract

Storage of seeds with high water content and temperatures favors the growth of mould fungi which in turn affect the germination of seeds while low temperature with low water content prevent the growth of storage fungi and help in maintaining seed viability for longer duration of time. Seed sample from Sukkur district was stored at 4⁰C and room temperature (25-30⁰C) with water content of 8, 13 and 17% for about 80 days. The fungi were isolated at 0, 20, 40, 60 and 80days intervals. Highest infection percentage of fungi was observed at 13 and 17% water contents at room temperature after 20days of storage. High infection percentage of storage fungi affected the germination of seeds. Aspergillus spp were the most dominant fungi.