Fungi on bean seeds obtained from growers in Isparta province

Abstract

The fungal load of seeds is among the factors related to seed quality. Seed-borne fungi can cause significant crop losses and may produce mycotoxins, which are harmful to human health. This study aimed to determine the seed-borne fungi of bean, which is among one of the most important crops cultivated in Isparta province. Seed samples from the 2015-2016 vegetation period, obtained from bean growers in Isparta province were used in this study. The fungal load of randomly selected 200 seeds were investigated by blotter and agar methods and prevalence and infestation rates of the fungi were determined. As a result, 41 species of fungi belonging to 26 genera were determined on 62 seed samples. The blotter method yielded 25 genera while 20 genera were determined by the agar method. Alternaria, Aspergillus, Cladosporium, Fusarium, Penicillium and Rhizopus species were the most common fungi found on almost all of the samples, for both methods. Infestation rates of these fungi were also high on bean seeds. Prevalence and infestation rates of the fungi were generally higher in the blotter method, except for Fusarium and Verticillium species that were determined on the seed samples in higher frequencies by the agar method. Absidia, Arthrinium, Epicoccum, Nigrospora, Scopulariopsis and Stachybotrys species were determined only by the blotter method, while Seimatosporium sp. was found by the agar method. Alternaria, Fusarium, Rhizoctonia, Stemphylium and Verticillium species are known as pathogenic fungi and may cause diseases on bean plants. Aspergillus and Penicillium species are saprobic fungi producing mycotoxins, so their presence on the seeds is also important.