Abstract
Vateria indica L., is an important endemic vulnerable tree of Western Ghats. Seed myco-flora of V. indica collected from different locations of Western Ghats in Karnataka at different fruiting years was studied. Among all fungal isolates, Macrophomina phaseolina was most abundant (16.92%) on the seed samples causing mortality in germinating seeds. The mycelial growth of this fungus was observed predominantly on collar region of radicle in geminating seeds. Infected roots were rotted from region of pathogen occurrence and further, infected tissues were discoloured with the progress of disease. Seeds treated with fungal suspension carried infection on radicle of germinating seeds and hindered the survival of seedling. Though, M. phaseolina is known for its pathogenicty in most of the agricultural crops, its impact on V. indica seed health and seedling endurance was proved for the first time in this study.
Keywords
Fungal, Aspergillus, Abundance %, Pathogen, Spermoplane, Collar region