International Research Journal of Biological Sciences ___________________________________ ISSN 2278-3202Vol. 3(7), 74-75, July (2014) Int. Res. J. Biological Sci. International Science Congress Association 74 Short Communication Different Seed Categories of Pigeon Pea and its Seed MycofloraKandhare A.S. Department of Botany, K.M.C. College, Khopoli, Dist. Raigad, INDIAAvailable online at: www.isca.in, www.isca.me Received 16th December 2013, revised 7th February 2014, accepted 18th April 2014Abstract Pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan L.) seeds categorized as bold, shriveled and discoloured and its seed mycoflora was studied. Total seventeen fungi were recorded from all categories of the test seeds. Among all categories of seeds, discoloured seeds of Pigeon pea showed maximum seed mycoflora. Keywords: Pigeon pea, seed mycoflora. IntroductionPigeon pea is cultivated as a mixed crop with Kharif cereals in low rainfall areas. Sowing is done in June – July and harvested after 6-8 months, between January- Februarys. It is commonly cultivated in Uttar Pradesh, Orissa, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Bihar and Tamil Nadu. Pigeon pea contains protein 20.4 g/100 g of seeds and carbohydrates 60.4 g/100 g of seeds suggesting that it is also good source of protein and carbohydrates, it also contain thiamin (0.45mg), niacin (2-9mg) and riboflavin (0.19mg). It has better quality of fiber (7g/ 100g of seeds). Various seed borne fungi affect Pigeon pea leading to loss in quality and quantity of the seed. Texture, shape and color of the seed indicate health of seed. Overtly bold, shriveled and discolored seeds are manifestation of covert seed mycoflora. Hence bold, shriveled and discolored seeds are used to screen mycoflora. Material and Methods Seeds of the Pigeon pea were collected as described by Paul Neergaard from different sources to make composite sample. These seeds were categoriesed into bold, shriveled, discolored and plated on Agar and moist blotter plates for fungal screening. Moist blotter plate method: A pair of white blotter paper of 8.5 cm diameter was jointly soaked in sterile distilled water and placed in pre-sterilized borosil glass Petri-plates of 10 cm diameter. Ten seeds were placed at equal distance aseptically on the moist blotter paper. The plates were incubated at room temperature for ten days. On eleventh day the seeds were examined under microscope for the preliminary determination of seed mycoflora. The seed borne fungi found on each and every seed were isolated and identified. Agar plate method: Twenty five ml of sterilized PDA medium of pH 5.6 poured in pre-sterilized borosil glass Petri-plate of 10 cm diameter. The Petri-plates were allowed to cool at room temperature; ten seeds of Pigeon pea were placed at equidistance under aseptic condition. After ten days of incubation the seeds were examined under microscope for the preliminary determination of seed mycoflora. The seed borne fungi found on each and every type of seed were isolated and identified. Isolation and identification of seed borne fungi from different seed categories: The isolated seed borne fungi of test pulses were identified on the basis of colony character, texture, color and sporulation with naked eye and microscopically. Identifications were confirmed with the help of authentic manuals3-6. Pure cultures of the identified fungi were made and maintained on PDA (Potato Dextrose Agar) slants. Results and Discussion Total seventeen fungi were reported from all categories of seeds. Incidence of seed mycoflora was maximum on discoloured seeds. The predominant seed-borne fungi were Aspergillus flavus (80 %), Drechslera tetramera (70 %), Aspergillus nidulans (66 %), A. niger (63%) and Curvularia lunata (59%). Minimum seed mycoflora was reported by Cladosporium spp., Chaetomium globosum, Colletotrichum truncatum and Rhizopus stolonifer. Fungi like; Chaetomium globosum, Colletotrichum truncatum did not show their presence on bold seeds. Rhizopus stolonifer did not appear on shrivelled seeds. Rest of the fungi showed their presence on all categories in more or less quantity. Agar plate showed more fungal growth as compared to blotter plate method. Conclusion Different categories of seeds of pulses harbour different kinds and quantity of mycoflora. In case of Pigeon pea discoloured seeds showed maximum incidence of seed mycoflora. International Research Journal of Biological Sciences ________________________________________________ ISSN 2278-3202 Vol. 3(7), 74-75, July (2014) Int. Res. J. Biological Sci. International Science Congress Association 75 Table-1 Incidence of seed mycoflora of Pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan L.) seeds of different categories by blotter (B) and agar (A) Plate methods (After ten days of incubation) Sr.No Seed mycoflora Incidence of seed mycoflora (%) Bold seeds Shrivelled seeds Discolored seeds B A B A B A 1 Alternaria alternata 05 10 15 16 20 12 2 A. tenuis 15 25 14 45 30 55 3 Aspergillus carbonarius 00 25 12 30 32 22 4 A. flavus 60 40 60 73 80 75 5 A. fumigatus 35 25 50 48 50 55 6 A. nidulans 30 40 42 55 48 66 7 A. niger 35 50 34 60 40 63 8 Chaetomium globosum 00 00 00 02 12 08 9 Cladosporium spp. 01 00 02 06 07 06 10 Colletotrichum truncatum 00 00 00 02 08 23 11 Curvularia lunata 25 18 34 45 36 59 12 Drechslera tetramera 39 30 70 58 40 60 13 Fusarium moniliforme 35 20 35 25 46 38 14 Fusarium oxysporum 40 30 20 40 30 40 15 Macrophomina phaseolina 10 00 05 15 22 28 16 Penicillium spp. 30 00 10 15 22 29 17 Rhizopus stolonifer 00 05 00 00 16 12 References1.Shakuntala Manay, N. and M. Shadaksharaswamy: Foods: Facts and principals, Wiley eastern limited (1987)2.Neergaard, Paul: Seed pathology John Villy and sons, N.Y. , (1977)3.Subramanian C.V.: Hypomycetes: An account of Indian species, Except Cercospora, ICAR, New Delhi, 930 (1971) 4.Neergaard P. and S.B. Mathur: University teaching of seed pathology, published by Prasaranga, University of Mysore, India (1980)5.Jha D.K.: A text book of seed pathology. Vikas publishing house pvt. Ltd. New Delhi, (reprint 1995, 132) (1993)6.Mukadam, D.S.: The illustrated kingdom of fungi (some selected genera). Published by Akshar Ganga prakashan, Aurangabad, India (1997)