Seed Borne Fungi of Cowpea, Their Parasitisms and Control

Nineteen fungi were found associated with abnormal, wrinkled and discoloured seeds of cowpea variety 5269 whereas such seeds of Pusa Barsati carried only 13 fungal species in standard blotter and agar plate methods. Normal and healthy looking seeds of variety 5269 and Pusa Barsati carried eight and seven fungal species, respectively. Surface disinfection of seeds with mercuric chlbride considerably reduced the number of fungal species and colonies thereof. Chlorine pre-treatment of seeds facilitated better development of Alternaria alternata. Lasiodiplodia theobromae, Drechslera tetramera and Fusarium moniliforme. Nine fungal species were found pathogenic to cause seed rot, pre-emergence mortality, seedling blight and spotlblight diseases. Seed treatment with a mixture of TMTD and carbendazim (1.25 + 1.0 g/kg seed), carbendazim and TMTD alone, mancozeb 75% WP (each 2 g/kg) seed), metalaxyl (1.0 g/kg seed) and thiophanate methyl (1.5 g/kg seed) were found effective in controlling fungi associated with the improvement in germination by 10.5–14.25% over control.