Determination of mycoflora of pea (Pisum sativum) seeds and the effects of Rhizobium leguminosorum on fungal pathogens of peas

Abstract

Mycoflora of pea seeds and the effectiveness of Rhizobium leguminosarum on important seed-borne pathogens were determined. Mycoflora were changed according to seed groups with or without surface sterilization. The most common isolated fungi were Fusarium spp., Alternaria spp., Macrophomina phaseolina, Phytophthora megasperma, Rhizoctonia solani and Sclerotium rolfsii. R. leguminosarum showed antagonistic effect on Fusarium oxysporum and P. megasperma by 66.3 and 62.1%, respectively, in dual culture test in vitro. R. leguminosarum application reduced disease severity of P. megasperma, R. solani, F. oxysporum and S. rolfsii by 52.9, 50, 67.9 and 52%, respectively. Results indicated that R. leguminosarum showed effects on plant pathogenic fungi and could be used as biocontrol agent.

Key words: Seed mycoflora, dual culture, Rhizobium leguminosarum, biocontrol pathogenic fungi, disease severity.