Detection of pathogens to test seed health of some food crops in storage

Abstract

The health condition of the seed, which is defined by the presence or absence of seed-borne microbes like fungi, bacteria, nematodes, or viruses, is one aspect that affects seed quality. The purpose of this study is to assess the health of some food crop seeds by looking for fungus and bacteria. The Pathogen Detection Laboratory, Division of Management of Genetic Resources (ICABIOGRAD), conducted this investigation in 2019. The Gen Bank collection and rejuvenation were the sources of the tested seeds. The use of moist blotter and agar procedures allowed for the detection of fungi and bacteria. 100 accessions of each of the following: rice, maize, soybeans, peanuts, sorghum, and cowpea had their seed health evaluated. Under a microscope, pathogens are observed growing, and their pathogenic properties are identified using the relevant literature. According to the findings, 12 maize accessions had fungal infections and 8 had bacterial infections. In peanuts, fungus and bacteria were found in 11 and 14 accessions, respectively. As opposed to 16 accessions of sorghum being infected with fungi and 18 accessions being infected with bacteria, nine accessions of soybeans had fungi and eleven accessions had bacteria. 18 accessions of the rice commodity had fungal infections, while 15 had bacterial infections. A total of 26 cowpea accessions had fungal infections, while 23 had bacterial infections. Even with relatively low infection rates (0–10%), fungus and bacterial infections on stored seeds are always present, with the exception of cowpea.