FUNGI ASSOCIATED WITH DIFFERENT PARTS OF COTTON SEED1

Abstract

Seed samples with highest (CB10), lowest (CB8), moderate fungal frequency
(CB3) and randomly selected seeds from all varieties (CB1-14) were used. A total
of 14 species of fungi, namely Aspergillus flavus Link, A. fumigatus Fresenius, A.
niger Van Tiegh, Curvularia lunata (Wakker) Boedijn, Colletotrichum gloeosporioides
Penz & Sacc, Fusarium nivale (Fr.) Sorauer, F. oxysporum Schlechtendal, F. fujikuroi
Nirenberg, Penicillium aculeatum Raper & Fennell, Penicillium citrinum Thom,
Rhizoctonia solani Khun., Rhizopus stolonifer (Ehrenb.) Vuill., Syncephalastrum
racemosum Cohn and Trichoderma viride Pers. were found to be associated with
seed parts of different varieties of cotton. The maximum ten species of fungi
were isolated from seed coat. The most prevalent fungus was Rhizopus stolonifer
which was found in all the parts of all the varieties of cotton seeds examined. Out
of the 14 isolated fungi, Aspergillus flavus, A. fumigatus, A. niger, C. lunata, C.
gloeosporioides, F. nivale, F. oxysporum, F. fujikuroi, Penicillium aculeatum, R. solani,
R. stolonifer, S. racemosum and T. viride were found to be external and Aspergillus
flavus, A. fumigatus, A. niger, C. lunata, F. nivale, Penicillium citrinum and R.
stolonifer were internal seed borne fungi. Aspergillus flavus, A. fumigatus, A. niger,
C. lunata, F. nivale and R. stolonifer were isolated as both external and internal
seed borne fungi.