Effect of fungal interactions on grain discolouration

Abstract

Grain discolouration is an early indication of poor quality seeds associated with microorganisms. The present study was conducted in the Department of Plant Pathology and Agricultural College Farm, Agricultural College, Bapatla. Grain discolouration was found to occur within three to six days after inoculating with spore suspension of Curvularia sp., Bipolaris sp. and Alternaria sp. both individually and in combinations. Panicle length was significantly reduced in the presence of the three test fungi both individually and in combinations. Simultaneous presence of the three test fungi during panicle initiation resulted in synergistic action and had significantly reduced the number of grains per panicle to 82.33 as against 116.67 in unsprayed check. Significantly high number of discoloured grain (19.33) was recorded when all the three pathogens i.e., Curvularia sp., Bipolaris sp. and Alternaria sp. were sprayed simultaneously.