Abstract
Seed borne fungi associated with sixteen white cowpea seed samples collected from various cities of Pakistan were detected using seed health testing techniques as recommended by ISTA viz; standard blotter, agar plate, and deepfreezing methods. Twenty eight species belonging to 17 fungal genera were isolated mutually using standard blotter, agar plate and deep-freezing methods. Agar plate method was best for the detection of fungi both qualitatively and quantitatively, followed by standard blotter and deep-freeing methods. Pathogenic fungi like Macrophomina phaseolina and Rhizoctonia solani were isolated through agar plate method. Deep-freezing and blotter methods were best for the isolation of Fusarium oxysporum. Aspergillus flavus followed by A. niger was the most dominant fungal species in all the three methods used. Surface sterilization of seeds with 1% Na(OCl)2 has greatly reduced the incidence of saprophytic fungi.
