Abstract
Grain mold, considered the most important disease of sorghum, is associated with several fungal genera. The disease reduces both yield and quality. In this study, over 300 sorghum seed samples collected from Texas, Florida, and Georgia were evaluated for grain mold severity, seed weight, germination rate, and seed fungal community. Grain mold severity of the seed samples, except for those collected from Cameron, Texas, were rated 3 or higher, indicating that these sorghum lines were moderately susceptible under naturally-infected field conditions during the 2016 and 2017 growing seasons. Seed weight across surveyed locations ranged from 1.1 g to 4.0g for samples collected in Texas during the same period. Percent germination rates for samples collected in Texas ranged from 59.6% to 86.7%. Sorghum samples collected from Florida and Georgia exhibited moderately susceptible response to grain mold infection. Mean seed weight was 1.9 g for samples collected from Florida, while in Georgia, mean seed weight was 2.3 g. Germination rate was low for samples collected from Florida and Georgia. Mycological analysis of sorghum seed samples collected from farmers’ fields in Central and South Texas during the 2016 and 2017 growing seasons showed Alternaria species as the most frequently isolated fungal genus, accounting for 40% and 42 % in 2016 and 2017, followed by Fusarium incarnatum, F. acuminatum, F. equiseti, & F. semitectum Complex. In Florida and Georgia, Fusarium incarnatum, F. acuminatum, F. equiseti, & F. semitectum Complex was the most frequently recovered fungal species, accounting for 77% and 72% of the total. genera/species isolated from seed samples. Other fungal species, including Curvularia lunata, Bipolaris sp., Colletotrichum sublineola, F. verticillioides, Penicillium sp., Aspergillus flavus, F. thapsinum, F. oxysporum, F. sporotrichioides, F. graminearum, F. proliferatum, and Aspergillus niger were also isolated from sorghum seeds in various frequencies. In conclusion, the presence of large number of fungal genera associated with grain deterioration and their effect on other traits, makes management of this disease complex challenging. To identify grain mold resistant sources in a region, using the most dominant species in that region to screen the sorghum germplasm is recommended.
Highlights
Onion (Allium cepa L.) is one of the most important vegetable crops commercially grown in the world
Arsi Zone is one of the potential areas in Oromia regional state [4] and in addition to bulb production; the area is suitable for onion seed production
The study was conducted at Kulumsa Agricultural Research Center (KARC) which is located at 8°00‟ to 8o02‟N and 39°07‟ to 39°10‟E and an altitude of 2210 m a.s.l. in Oromia
Summary
Onion (Allium cepa L.) is one of the most important vegetable crops commercially grown in the world. In Ethiopia, onion is one of the most important cash crops, which contributes to commercialization of the rural economy and creates many off-farm jobs [1, 2]. Onion seeds are well known to be highly perishable and poor in keeping quality and lose viability within a year, it is essential to produce fresh seed every year and use the same for bulb production. Onion is produced in many of the regions of Ethiopia. Arsi Zone is one of the potential areas in Oromia regional state [4] and in addition to bulb production; the area is suitable for onion seed production
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 
Published Version (
Free)
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call