Seed-borne mycoflora of local and improved wheat (Triticum sativum L.) cultivars in Kano, Nigeria

Abstract

Three varieties each of local and improved wheat (Triticum sativum) cultivars were investigated for seed-borne pathogenic mycoflora using the plate technique and laid on completely randomized design. A total 99 fungal isolate grouped into five fungal species namely; Rhizopus nigricans, Mucor spp, Penillium jenseni, Aspergillus niger, and Fusarium moloniformes were isolated with Rhizopus nigricans, and Fusarium moloniformes (30.30 % and 35.40%, respectively) being the most frequently occurring fungal species and Penillium jenseni (7.0 %) being the least abundant. Results of the studyhave also indicated that local wheat cultivars were more contaminated than the improved varieties. It is therefore apparent that both improved and local wheat varieties are contaminated by fungal mycoflora.

Keywords; wheat, seed-borne fungi, plate technique