OCCURRENCE OF SEED-BORNE FUNGAL PATHOGENS DURING DEVELOPMENT AND MATURATION OF JUTE SEED

Abstract

Eight different seed-borne fungal pathogens were detected in seeds of a local jute cultivar "Deshi pat" (Corchorus capsularis L.) during three to ten weeks period of seed development and maturation. They were Botryodiplodia theobromae, Cercospora corchori, CoUetotrichum corchori, Curvularia lunata, • Fusarium oxysporum, Fusarium semitectum, Fusarium sp., and Macrophomina phaseolina. Of these Fungi Cur. lunata, F. oxysporum, F. semitectum, Fusarium sp. and M. phaseolina were detected in seeds obtained from three weeks old young growing pods. Bot theobromae, Col corchori, Cur. lunata, F. oxysporum, F. semitectum, Fusarium sp. and M. phaseolina were found in developing seeds collected from five weeks old growing pods; while all the eight fungal pathogens were detected in seeds of seven weeks old and ten weeks old pods. The occurrence of fungal infections detected in seeds at their different stages of development increased with increase of seed age.