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LOCATION OF FUNGI IN GROUNDNUT SEED

SHAZIA RASHEED, SHAHNAZ DAWAR AND ABDUL GHAFFAR

Abstract: Using ISTA techniques, component plating of groundnut seed showed that seed coat (testa) was greatly infected by fungi viz., Alternaria citri Ellis & Pierce apud Pierce, Aspergillus flavus Link ex Gray, A. niger van Tieghem, Fusarium oxysporum Schlecht, F. semitectum Berk & Rav., F. solani (Mart) Sacc., Macrophomina phaseolina (Tassi) Goid., and Rhizoctonia solani Kuhn., followed by cotyledon and axis (radicle and plumule). Reduced number of fungal species in surface sterilized seed indicates that most of the fungi were located on seed coat (testa). Blotter method showed greater incidence of fungi on seed parts followed by agar plate and deep freezing methods. In seedling symptom test, Macrophomina phaseolina, Fusarium spp., Rhizoctonia solani Aspergillus flavus and A. niger showed pre- emergence and post emergence rot resulting in root rot and damping off of seedling caused by root infecting fungi.
 

Department of Botany, University of Karachi, Karachi-75270, Pakistan.