Fungi intercepted in seeds of pigeon pea ( (cajanus cajan (l.) grown in Northern Tanzania and relation to quality attributes of the seeds
Loading...
Date
2019
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
International Research Journal of Biological Sciences
Abstract
Fungi associated with Pigeon pea seed were studied using 80 seeds samples of pigeon pea collected from Babati and Karatu
districts in northern Tanzania. The standard moist blotter test was used to detect fungi on seeds. The tested pigeon pea
samples yielded d more than 12 different fungal species. Fusarium udum which is a pathogen of seed health certification
significance was detected in 33 samples from Babati (equivalent to 82.5%) and 36 samples from Karatu districts (equivalent
to 90%) of the samples. Eleven n other seed infesting fungi were also intercepted, with Rhizopus spp appearing in all samples
and having the highest incidence of 23.2% for Karatu and 16.1% for Babati district followed by Aspergillus flavus having the
incidence of 20.3% and 15.7% for Karatu
atu and Babati districts, respectively. The other species ranged between 1.1% and
10.1% for Babati and 0.7% and 13.7% for Karatu. Significant correlation existed between seed purity and incidence of
Cladosporium spp and between seed moisture content and in
incidence
cidence of Fusarium moniliforme; but the correlation with
purity was positive against expectation. Even though farm
farm-saved
saved seeds may be localized with the practicing farmer or within
a restricted locality, generally it is suggested that in those areas where seed borne pathogens are endemic and farm-saved
farm
seeds is predominant farmers’ awareness on Fusarium wilt disease should be created. It is also suggested that farmers
should be trained on how to reduce seed transmission of the diseases at least by rouging the infected plants in the field and
selective harvesting of the crop to be used as seed.
Description
Journal Article
Keywords
Blotter paper method, Fungi, Pigeon pea seeds, Tanzania