Assessment of seed quality parameters in fruit rot infected seeds of brinjal caused by Phomopsis vexans and development of eco-friendly management for quality seed production

Abstract

Phomopsis vexans is an important seed-borne pathogen and it is highly detrimental to brinjal crop. Among seventeen brinjal genotypes studied for the effect of fruit rot on the seed quality parameters using infected and healthy seeds, the germination percentage of infected seeds is relatively lower than the healthy seeds. The reduction in germination percentage of diseased seeds varied between 14 to 67%. Seed quality parameters like germination and vigour were negatively correlated and the electrical conductivity was positively correlated with fruit rot incidence. This shows that a higher incidence of pathogens will lower the viability and vigour of seeds and the infection level is also dependent on genotype and the environmental condition. The three known biocontrol agents were analyzed by using the dual culture technique for the antagonistic effect on the pathogens. The results showed that out of three biocontrol agents, Trichoderma harzianum showed maximum antagonistic effect followed by Pseudomonas fluorescence and Bacillus subtilis. Different modes of action like mycoparasitism, competition, antibiosis and production of antibiotics and secondary metabolites like harzianiol may act as inhibitors against Phomopsis vexans.