Seed Technology Research Unit (NSP), Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Rahuri - 413 722, India.
Seed microflora was assessed in fourteen popularly grown paddy varieties viz., Ambemohar, Basmati-370, Jaya, Karjat-2, Karjat-3, Masuri, Phule Maval, Pawana, Palghar, Ratna, Bhogawati, Garvi kolpi-248, HMT-Sona, Indrayani, Phule Radha, R-24 and RP-4-14 by using standard blotter method as per ISTA rules. Seven different organisms detected and five were pathogenic to paddy. They were Fusarium moniliformae, Fusarium oxysporum, Curvularia lunata, Drechslera oryzae and Alternaria padwickii. Variations were found in seed microflora and their occurrence in various varieties. The lowest microflora was recorded in Palghar (4%) with 97% seed germination. The highest microflora was recorded in Indrayani (20%) with 80% seed germination.
