Fungal phytopathogens associated with moringa seeds in Monagas state, Venezuela

Abstract

With the objective of identifying fungi associated with moringa seeds in the state of Monagas, this research was conducted with material obtained from four localities, Caicara de Maturín, Cedeño municipality and seed banks from the Las Avenidas, Brisas del Aeropuerto and Terrenos de Guarapiche, in the Maturín municipality. By origin, the seeds were characterized in physical and intrinsic aspects and 250 units were randomly selected for diagnosis; 125 sown directly in humid chambers, without disinfection, in Petri dishes with absorbent paper, moistened with sterile distilled water and 125 disinfected in a 10 % v/v solution of sodium hypochlorite 3.5 % for 2 minutes, both groups of seeds, incubated in chambers under laboratory conditions. A randomized block design with a 4 x 2 factorial arrangement was used, with five repetitions and five capsules per experimental unit. The frequency of appearance of each fungal colony and the percentage of seed germination at 5, 10 and 15 days after sowing were quantified. The results were analyzed and interpreted by non-parametric statistics. Aspergillus sp. was detected Rhizopus sp., Fusarium sp., Penicillium sp., Monilia sp. and Trichoderma sp., being Aspergillus sp., the most frequent fungal isolate. Recently harvested seeds presented more frequently Fusarium; while in stored seeds the genera Aspergillus, Rhizopus and Penicillium were observed. Aspergillus and Rhizopus caused 100 % infestation levels in seeds without any germination power. Trichoderma sp., was only detected in the treatment without seed disinfection, with a low percentage of detection.