Mycobiota Associated with Imported Seeds of Vegetable Crops in Sudan

Abstract

Seedborne fungi present on or inside the seed or as contaminant with the seed debris adversely affect seed viability, germination, emergence, plant growth vigour and eventually production and productivity. In the present study, seedborne fungi of 7 imported vegetables were examined. 29 species of fungi belonging to 23 genera were recovered from the seeds. Of these fungi, 6 species and one genus are new records to the mycoflora of Sudan, whereas different species are new to the micobiota of these vegetables. These include 15 species for Beta vulagris, Petroselinum crispum (14 species), Solanum melongena (12 species), Portulaca oleracea (8 species and 1 genus), Eruca sativa (5 species and 3 genera), Corchorus olitorius (2 species), and Cucumis sativa (1 species). The seeds were highly contaminated with saprophytic and pathogenic fungi (25-100%), which apparently inhibited seed germination (15-79%) and seedling emergence (12-75%) of these vegetables. The genus Aspergillus and Drechslera (4 species each) were the most prevalent genera followed by Alternaria, Curvularia, Fusarium, Pithomyces (2 species) and 1 species for the remaining genera (Aureobasidium, Beltrania, Chaetomium, Cladosporium, Memnoniella, Microascus, Rhizopus, Sordaria, Stachybotrys, Stemphylium, Trichothecium, Ulocladium, and Wellernia). Therefore, there is urgent need for development of proper standard laboratory seed testing methods, fungal eradication measures, and adopting strong legislations and quarantine regulations. The use of certified and high grade seeds is a priority.