MYCOFLORA ASSOCIATED WITH THE SEED SAMPLES OF CUCURBITA PEPO L. COLLECTED FROM PAKISTAN

Abstract

Seventeen seed samples collected from Peshawar (2), Swabi (1), Tordher (1), Fatu chack (1), Mardan (2), Karachi (4), Islamabad (1), Murree (1), Abbottabad (1), Sukkur (1), Ghotki (1) and Mandibahuddin (1) areas of Pakistan were analyzed for the seed-borne mycoflora using standard blotter, agar plate and deep-freezing methods as suggested by ISTA. At least 100 fungal species belonging to 49 genera were isolated mutually from all the seed samples analyzed. Seed samples from Peshawar followed by Sukkur & Ghotki were highly infected with fungi. Agar plate method was found best for the isolation of fungi both qualitatively and quantitatively followed by standard blotter method. By using agar plate method, 79 species of 40 genera were isolated while 57 species of 29 fungal genera were isolated by the blotter method. Being frost sensitive, rot and decay of pumpkin seeds was observed in deep-freezing method. Species of Fusarium, Phoma and Macrophomina phaseolina were isolated by all three methods. However, the most dominant fungi were the species of Aspergillus followed by Rhizopus and Chaetomium. Good germination of seeds was observed in surface sterilized seeds treated with 1% Ca (OCl) 2, although surface sterilization was found less effective against fungal mycoflora. Atleast 95 species of 47 genera are newly reported from Pakistan.