Efficacy of fungicides and bioagents on incidence of seed borne pathogens associated with black point disease, their effect on seed germination and seedling vigour index of wheat

Abstract

The present investigation was carried out on the “Studies on Seed borne Mycoflora of Wheat with Special Reference to Black Point Disease”, with a view to assess seed borne pathogens associated with black point disease of wheat, their effect on seed germination and seedling vigour index, effects of fungicides and bioagents on seed borne mycoflora, seed germination and seedling vigour index. Three seed borne pathogens associated with black point disease of wheat viz., Alternaria alternata, Drechslera sorokiniana and Curvularia lunata were detected on wheat seeds. The internally two fungi identified were Alternaria alternata and Drechslera sorokiniana. All the isolated pathogens were found pathogenic to wheat resulting into reduction in seed germination and seedling vigour index. The seed borne pathogen viz., Alternaria alternata, was found more dominant and damaging. Among the seed treatments of fungicides and bioagents fungicidal seed treatments were found significantly superior in reducing pathogens associated with black point disease of wheat, increasing seed germination and seedling vigour index. Among fungicides Carboxin 37.5% + Thiram 37.5% DS @ 0.3% was found most effective against Alternaria alternata, Drechslera sorokiniana and Curvularia lunata.Among bioagents Trichoderma harzianum @ 10g/kg seed was found most effective against all detected seed pathogens associated with black point disease of wheat.