Seedborne Mycoflora of Cucumber (Cucumber sativus L.), pH Evaluation of Fusarium palladoroseum and Evaluation of Fungicides for Fusarium palladoroseum

Seed borne mycoflora associated with cucumber from three different locations viz. Khanpur, Samundari, Faisalabad was investigated through standard blotter paper by using Mann-Whitney U test. At least thirteen fungal genera were recovered from seeds. The most frequently observed fungi were Aspergilusflavous (Samundari: treated seeds=8%, untreated seeds 25%, Faisalabad: 23) followed by Macrophomina phaseolina (Samundari: treated seeds=6%, untreated seeds=18, Khanpur: 11%, Faisalabad 9%). It is apparent from the present investigation that most of the seeds tested were free from pathogens by fungi. The growing on technique was used to find out the effect of Fusarium palladoroseum on seed germination. Results reveal that 60% germination of cucumber seeds was effected when compared to control. The fungus Fusarium palladoroseum associated with seeds of cause dire diseases in cucumber reducing the germination capacity. The pH evaluation on mycelial growth of the fungus Fusarium palladoroseum was recorded at pH 6.5 (mean value=6.86cm) followed by growth at pH 6.0 (mean value=6.3cm). Evaluation of the fungicides viz. Halonil, Diathane and Topsin-M proved that Topsin-M at concentration 200ppm was most effective for the control of Fusarium palladoroseum followed by Halonil while Diathane proved least effective