Agricultural Research Management Information System

Home
Research Summary
Search
About Us
- ARMIS
- Brochure
Contact Us
Report
User Request
Data Input
Help
- Operation Manual
  - PDF
  - Video
- Program Area & Commodity
We have reached 37600 number of research entries at this moment.

- Logout

Research Detail

Home
Research
Detail

Study on the Seed Health Status of Red Amaranth and Spinach

MS Islam
Department of Plant Pathology, BAU, Mymensingh

R Sultana
Planing and Evaluation Wing, DAE, Khamarbari, Dhaka-1215

MA Rahman
Department of Agricultural Extension, Khamarbari, Dhaka-1215

MAZ AL Munsur
Minimizing Rice Yield Gap Project, DAE, Khamarbari, Dhaka-1215

GA Fakir
Department of Plant Pathology, BAU, Mymensingh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

Seed health status of red amaranth and spinach collected from eight different seed sources under three seed categories was determined in the Seed Pathology Centre (SPC), Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh. On seed health analysis, 6 fungi encountered in seeds of Red amaranth, in order of prevalence, were- F. moniliforme (18.1%), Penicillium spp. (5.8%), A. flavus (5.5%), A. niger (4.9%), R. stolonifer (3.7%) and Colletotrichum capsici (0.9%). Six fungi recorded in Spinach seeds, in order of prevalence, were- F. moniliforme (39.4%), A. flavus (8.5%), A. niger (3.9%), R. stolonifer (3.1%) Penicillium spp. (2.9%), and Colletotrichum spinaciae (0.5%). A. niger, F. moniliforme, R. stolonifer in red amaranth and spinach appeared to be new records in the seed-borne fungi of the selected four vegetable crops in the world. In general, more seed-borne fungal pathogens were recorded in Farmers’ seed, followed by seeds of Seed companies and BADC. Seed germination recorded in growing-on-test also varied significantly depending on seed category and seed source. The highest germination was obtained in seeds of BADC, followed by Seed companies, while the lowest germination was recorded in Farmers’ seed. Germination failure was always higher than the total seed-borne fungal infections in red amaranth and in spinach. Thus, no definite relationship between germination failure and total seed-borne fungal infection was observed. Of all the 6 fungi recorded in seeds of the selected vegetable crops, only F. moniliforme was found to caused seedling disease (Foot and root rot) in the growing-on test.

Keywords: Seed, Health status, Red amaranth, Spinach

Location: Seed Pathology Centre (SPC), Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU), Mymensingh

Start Date:

End Date:

Program Area: Pest Management

Commodity: Vegetables

Objectives:

1. The present piece of research work was undertaken to detect the prevalence of seed-borne fungi in the selected vegetable crops in order to assess their seed health status to determine the capacity of the seed-borne fungi in transmitting disease from seed to growing seedling.

Methodology:

Vegetable species and seed sources - The red amaranth and spinach of the vegetables were selected for the study. Seeds of the two selected vegetable species were collected from three different seed categories viz. farmers’, seed companies, Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation (BADC). Farmers’ seeds were collected from farmers own produced and saved seeds from the following four selected locations of Comilla, Mymensingh, Pabna and Satkhira district. Three seed companies included East West, Metal and Namdhari Malik seed company. In addition, seeds of four vegetable crops obtained from BADC were also included as one of the seed sources for the study. Collection of seed - Four samples were collected from each of the eight sources/locations under three categories for each of the two selected crops. One hundred g seeds for red amaranth and 200 g seeds for spinach were collected from each of the selected locations following the International Rules of Seed Testing. In case of Seed company and BADC seeds in sealed packets were collected randomly from different seed stores. A working sample of 200 and 400 seeds were used for Blotter test for detection of seed-borne fungi and growing on test for recording seedling diseases respectively. Four replicate samples were used for each case. Detection of seed-borne fungi - Seed samples were subjected to seed health analysis by Blotter method for detection of seed-borne fungi. In this method three layers of blotter papers (Whatman No.l) were soaked in sterile water and then 25 seeds were placed in each plate and replicated eight times. The petridishes containing seeds were incubated at 22± 2 ºC under alternating cycles of 12 hours near ultraviolet (NUV) light and darkness for 7 days. After incubation, the seeds were examined under stereo binocular microscope in order to record the incidence of seed borne infection of different fungi. Identification of fungi - The fungi grown out of the incubated seeds were examined under the steriobinocular microscope and were identified by observing their growth characters on the incubated seeds. In case of difficulty of identification, temporary slides were made and the fungi were identified to species level. Growing-on-test - The test carried out by using sterilized sand in plastic trays. Sand was sterilized by 3% formaldehyde @ 200 ml/cft. The tray were then filled with sterilized sand and moistened with water. Four trays were used for each seed sample of red amaranth and spinach. One hundred seeds were sown in each tray for each crops. Data on germination, normal seedlings, abnormal seedlings and diseased seedlings were recorded after 14 days of sowing following the International Rules for Seed Testing with some modification. The results were expressed in percentages.

Source of Information: BANGLADESH RESEARCH PUBLICATIONS JOURNAL; ISSN: 1998-2003, Volume: 7, Issue: 2, Page: 133-141, July - August, 2012

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

Based on the present study it is evident that seeds of the two selected crops are infected by a good number of fungi. Among the fungi encountered, only F. moniliforme was capable of transmitting disease to the growing seedlings. Seeds of the four test crops produced by BADC appear to be the best from health quality view point compared to seeds of Seed companies and Farmers’, as the former had lowest seed-borne fungal infection, maximum germination and minimum transmission of disease to growing seedlings.

Knowledge Management: Journal