PJB-2011-349
EFFECT OF DIFFERENT MOISTURE AND STORAGE TEMPERATURE ON SEED BORNE MYCOFLORA OF MAIZE
ISHRAT NIAZ1, SHAHNAZ DAWAR1 AND UZMA SITARA2
Abstract
Maize seeds with 8, 12,16 and 20% moisture content stored at 4,25, 35 and 40ºC for 6 months showed heavy (98-100%) fungal infection at 20% moisture after 30 days of storage at all temperatures of 4, 25, 16 and 35°C. Infection of Aspergillus species was highest in seeds with 20% moisture level stored at 25 and 40ºC , however lower number of fungi were observed on seed at 8% moisture level stored at 4 and 25ºC. Other fungi included Absidia hesseltini, Alternaria alternata, Fusarium spp., and Penicillium spp., in seeds at 8, 12, 16 and 20% moisture levels stored at 25 and 35°C rather than 40°C. Germination of seeds was significantly decreased with the increase in storage time due to fungal infection.