Effect of Aspergillus spp. on Seed Quality Characters of Groundnut

Abstract

Background: Aspergillus niger and A. flavus cause rotting, damping-off, loss in germination and toxification of oil seeds. Aspergillus is a common mold in tropical and Sub-tropical countries and causes aflatoxin contamination. A. flavus and A. niger were responsible for storage rot of groundnut. In addition to storage rot, aflatoxin contamination also leads to adverse effects on consumer health. Therefore, present study was conducted to estimate the impact of both A. niger and A. flavus on seed quality parameters of groundnut. Methods: Effect of major seed borne fungi A.niger and A. flavus on seed quality characters of thirteen different genotypes of groundnut was observed in the present study. All the seedling quality characters were measured as per ISTA guidelines. Result: On an average A. niger caused 25.14, 25.18, 43.99, 26.20 and 44.75 per cent reduction in seed germination, seedling length, seedling vigour index I, seedling dry weight and seedling vigour index II, respectively, over the control whereas A. flavus caused average per cent reduction of 22.38, 24.23, 41.18, 23.92 and 40.95 in seed germination, seedling length, seedling vigour index I, seedling dry weight and seedling vigour index II, respectively, over the control.