Mycoflora Associated with Kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus) Seed

Abstract

Identification of fungal pathogens helps in proferring the most suitable control measures for the organisms. This study was conducted to determine the fungal pathogens associated with kenaf seeds. Standard blotter and agar plate methods were used to study seed-borne mycoflora of ten varieties of kenaf sourced from the Seed Unit of the Institute of Agricultural Research and Training, Ibadan and National Centre for Genetic resources and Biotechnology, Ibadan. The colony features and conidia characteristics were studied. Significant fungal species were detected in the incubated samples. Fungi isolated and identified were Botrytis cinerea, Colletorichum lindemuthianum, Cladosporium sp, Chaetomium sp, Rhizopus stolonifer, Fusariu moxysporium, Fusarium spp, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus, Penicillium sp, Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, Lasiodiplodia theobromae, Trichothecium roseum. The distribution of each fungi across the varieties showed that Trichothecium roseum and A. niger had the highest ocuurence of 60% followed by C. gloeosporoides, L. theobromea and Penicillium sp (50%). The occurrence of fungi was more predominant on variety Ifeken100, while Tianung 1 showed the lowest occurrence of isolated fungi.