Seed Borne Fungal Diseases of Soybean in Northern Karnataka

Soybean seed samples were collected from different districts of northern Karnataka. Studies on seed microflora revealed that the fungi viz., Rhizoctonia bataticola (Taub) Butler, Cercospora kikuchii (Matsumoto & Tomoy), Fusarium spp., Colletotrichum truncatum (Schw.) Andrus and Moore, Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus niger were of common occurrence. The most predominant fungi were Rhizoctonia bataticola (31.35%) and Cercospora kikuchii (23.66%). Seed samples collected from Dharwad and Bagalkhot districts exhibited maximum incidence of R. bataticola, whereas, maximum C. kikuchii infection was noticed at Belgaum district. Among different seed health testing methods, Standard Blotter Method was found to be most efficient for diagnosis of R. bataticola, C. kikuchii and C. truncatum, while for the detection of Fusarium spp. 2, 4-D blotter method was suitable.