Microflora on Black Gram [Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper] Seeds from Different Storage Condition

Abstract

lack gram is a most important summer pulse, which has a great market demand with a good potentiality for trade and export in Nepal. The production of black gram has ceased at higher rate by many fungi, as fungi infest in seeds. In this research, contact and systemic fungicides were applied in different concentrations to prevent its post-harvest lose. Seeds of black gram from two different storage sources were tested for seed-borne fungi. PDA, Blotter and Sand methods were used to isolate seed-borne fungi, in which PDA method was found to be the best. Seeds from traditional storage were found to be more infested with seed-borne fungi in comparison to seeds from the market. Among 25 isolated fungi species, four dominant species such as Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger, Alternaria alternata and Fusarium sp were taken for treatment with chemical fungicides. Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus niger were best controlled by Carbendazim, and Fusarium sp. and Alternaria alternate were best controlled by Mancozeb. Carbendazim was found to be most effective at the concentration of 1600 ppm. These chemicals have shown good inhibitory action against fungi. In addition to this, seeds were treated with plant extracts of Azadirachta indica and Ageratum haustonianum to reduce the presence and frequency of pathogens. Such seed treatment showed effective control over different selected seed-borne fungi. Plant extracts, which are residue free products and pose lower risk to pollution, were found to be good for reducing the pathogens.

Keywords: Synthetic, Fungicide, Frequency, Pathogen