Dynamics of Seed Mycoflora on Fenugreek Seeds during Storage

Dynamics and survival of seed mycoflora of Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum Linn.) was studied during storage from July 2007 to June 2008. A total of twelve fungal species were isolated from 1200 surface sterilized seeds of fenugreek. Four types of distinct storage fungal colonizers viz. Universal colonizers, Initial colonizers, Late colonizers and Sporadic colonizers were observed on fenugreek seeds. Aspergillus niger, A. flavus, Alternaria alternata and Penicillium sp. were universal seed colonizers as they occurred throughout the year and showed more than 15% occurrence on the seeds. A maximum of eleven species of fungi were isolated in the month of March 2008 while only eight species colonized the seeds in August 2007. Colonization and survival of the seed mycoflora on seed coats, cotyledons, and embryos was 37%, 43% and 15% respectively during storage. A marked reduction in protein and nitrogen contents of colonized seeds was recorded.