Management of Seedborne Mycoflora of Kabuli Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

The present investigation was carried out on the “Assessment and Management of seed borne mycoflora of Kabuli chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)”, with a view to assess seed borne mycoflora associated with seeds of Kabuli chickpea, their effect on seed germination and seedling vigor index, effects of fungicides and bioagents on seed borne mycoflora, seed germination and seedling vigor index. The externally seed borne pathogens of Kabuli chickpea were detected by standard blotter test. Six seed borne fungi were found associated with seeds of Kabuli chickpea externally, which were Fusarium oxysporum, Macrophomina phaseolina, Penicillium spp., Alternaria alternata, Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus niger. The internally seed borne fungi were detected by agar plate method and three fungi identified were Fusarium oxysporum, Macrophomina phaseolina and Alternaria alternata. Among them Aspergillus flavus have highest incidence of 54.32 per cent. All the isolated pathogens were found pathogenic to Kabuli chickpea resulting into reduction in seed germination and seedling vigour index. The seedborne mycoflora viz., Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger, Fusarium oxysporum, Alternaria alternata, Macrophomina phaseolina and Penicillium spp. were found more dominant and damaging. The lowest seed germination and seedling vigor index were noticed in the seeds inoculated with Aspergillus flavus which were 59.46 per cent and 1009.00, respectively, as against 78.00 per cent and 1297.38 in control.