Isolation of Mycoflora Associated with Stored Pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.] Seeds

Pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan(L.) Millsp.] is major pulse crop grown in India. The study aims at identifying seed-borne fungi associated with stored pigeonpea seeds. Seed health testing is a pre requisite for seed improvement, seed production, seed certification and trade in seed. Using blotter and agar plate methods as recommendedby ISTA, the seed mycoflora of different pigeonpea seed samples were examined. Nine fungi were isolated from the seeds of different pigeonpea varieties i.e.Vaishali, GT-1, GT-101, GT-102, GT-103 and AVPP-1. Most dominant fungal species were Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus, Fusariumoxysporum, Fusarium moniliforme, Fusarium udum and Alternaria alternata.