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EFFECT OF DIFFERENT
MOISTURE AND STORAGE TEMPERATURE ON SEED BORNE
MYCOFLORA OF MAIZE
ISHRAT NIAZ1, SHAHNAZ DAWAR1
AND UZMA SITARA2
Abstract:
Maize seeds with 8, 12,16 and
20% moisture content stored at 4,25, 35 and 40ēC for 6 months showed
heavy (98-100%) fungal infection at 20% moisture after 30 days of
storage at all temperatures of 4, 25, 16 and 35°C. Infection of
Aspergillus species was highest in seeds with 20% moisture level
stored at 25 and 40ēC , however lower number of fungi were
observed on seed at 8% moisture level stored at 4 and 25ēC. Other
fungi included Absidia hesseltini, Alternaria alternata, Fusarium
spp., and Penicillium spp., in seeds at 8, 12, 16 and 20%
moisture levels stored at 25 and 35°C rather than 40°C. Germination of
seeds was significantly decreased with the increase in storage time due
to fungal infection.
1Department of Botany, University of Karachi, Karachi-75270,
Pakistan
2Pesticide Research Institute, Southern-Zone Agricultural Research Centre,
Pakistan Agricultural Research Council, Karachi75270, Pakistan.
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