IMPACT OF HEAD BLIGHT ON SEED HEALTH OF WHEAT AND ITS MANAGEMENT.
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Date
2019-07-23
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CSKHPKV, Palampur
Abstract
In the present study, 59 processed wheat seed samples procured from different seed multiplication farms of University divided into two seed lots (sterilized and unsterilized) were assessed for the prevalence of seed mycoflora and Fusarium spp. associated with head blight disease and their impact on seed health. Attempts were also made to find suitable fungicide and bioagents to control the seed borne infection of head blight pathogen Fusarium graminearum and associated seed mycoflora. The associated seed mycoflora detected from two seed categories (sterilized and unsterilized) revealed the presence of 9 fungi (Alternaria alternata, Aspergillus niger, A. flavus, A. clavatus, Fusarium graminearum, F. poae, Penicillium spp., Trichoderma spp., and a non-sporulating fungus). Among the two assay methods, agar plate method was found more suitable than the blotter method in terms of mycoflora expression. A. alternata and F. graminearum were the most predominant fungi in most of the samples along with high frequency. Fusarium graminearum and F. poae were found to be associated with FHB disease in different wheat varieties being multiplied in different agro-climatic zones of the state. The seed health parameters viz., seed germination, seed and seedling health were adversely affected in artificially inoculated seed samples than apparently healthy samples, where seed germination was higher along with least seed and seedling rot. The seed germination reduced significantly by 71.86 per cent in F. graminearum inoculated seeds to that of 89.56 per cent in uninoculated apparently healthy seed lots. The seedling vigour index was also affected by F. graminearum inoculations with a seed vigor index of 1542.85 as compared to the uninoculated seeds (2069.87). Two seed dressing fungicides Vitavax Power and Bavistin were most effective in controlling the F. graminearum and other seed mycoflora, whereas among the bio-agents, Trichoderma harzianum (TH-5) found to be most effective. In rolled paper towel bioassay seed treatment with Vitavax Power resulted in maximum mycoflora control including F. graminearum followed by T. harzianum. The seed vigour also increased in Vitavax Power treated seeds as gradual decrease in seed vigour and other seed health parameters were noticed over the period of storage.
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