Seed Mycoflora of Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) and their Phytopathogenic Effect

Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) which belongs to the pedaliaceae family, is one of the oldest oilseed crops cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions of Asia, Africa and South America. India ranks first in both acreage and production (about 8 lakh MT) of sesame in the world. The seed mycoflora which causes deteriorative effects like reduction in seed quality and their germination in sesame. Seed samples of sesame were collected from five tehasils of Jaipur district, revealed variation in germination, seedling symptoms and incidence of seed mycoflora which finally effect seed quality. Discolouration (dirty black), deformity (Shrivelled), along with damaged seeds and impurities were commonly found in all the seed samples. A total number of eight seed mycoflora viz., Alternaria sesami, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger, Colletotrichum spp., Fusarium spp., Macrophomina phaseolina, Mucor spp. and Penicillium spp. were obtained in both Blotter and Agar Plate Method. The disease incidence of Alternaria sesami were found predominant in among the inoculation method. Maximum disease incidence of mycoflora was observed in seed sample ‘A’ whereas minimum observed in seed sample ‘C‘. Among these, Alternaria sesami was found to be highly pathogenic as it showed maximum reduction in seed germination and vigour index with enhanced pre and post-emergence mortality. The pathogenicity of Alternaria sesami highest was observed in seed cum foliar inoculation technique.