Pathogenicity of Two Seed Borne Fungi Isolated from Seeds of Cicer arietinum L

Abstract

Seeds samples of two cultivars of chickpea were collected from Arab Seed Company, (ASC) and one cultivar from the local market for the study. The samples were tested by the internatioal methods that include for the study Dry inspection test, Agar,and Blotter method .The study revealed the presence of the following fungi, Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cicer, Drechslera specifer, Alternaria alternata, Asperigllus flavus and Emcerilla spp. Fusarium oxysporum f.sp.cicer and Drechslera specifer were encountered in high percentage.The pathogenicity test of Fusarium oxysporum f.sp cicer showed that the fungus affected the seedlings stand in both seed and soil inoculation.The symptom revealed was damping-off. Spores suspension of Drechslera specifer sprayed on young seedlings showed symptoms of blight as well as browning of hypocotyl and root system. Physiological Studies have shown that the optimum temperture for growth of F. oxysporum f.sp.cicer was 25ºC and of D. specifer was found to be 28ºC. Potato dextrose agar (PDA) was found to be the best medium for the growth of the fungus Fusarium oxysporum f.sp.cicer and potato sucrose (PSA) was found the best medium for growth of the fungus Drechslera specifer There was no significance deference between the three carbon sources used for Fusarium oxysporum f.sp.cicer In the chemical control Biovidan and Tilt fungicides were used .And were found to be effective in inhibiting the growth of Fusarium oxysporum f.sp.cicer and Drechslera specifer. Tilt was more effective than Biovidan.