Abstract
Eighteen seed samples collected from Karachi (17) and Sukkur (1) areas of Sindh, Pakistan, were analyzed for seed-borne fungi using standard blotter method, agar plate method and deep-freezing methods as suggested by ISTA. At least 93 species belonging to 44 fungal genera were isolated mutually from all the seed samples analyzed. Agar plate method was found to be the best for the isolation of fungi. Species of Aspergillus, Chaetomium, Cladosporium, Rhizopus and Trichoderma were isolated through all methods. Blotter method was the best for the isolation of Chaetomium and Fusarium species, while species of Curvularia and Drechslera favoured growth on PDA medium. Surface sterilization of seeds with 1% Ca (OCl)2 has reduced the incidence of superficial fungi. Modification was also introduced in all three methods by increasing the incubation time period. The current work with papaya as host plant was carried out supposedly for the first time; hence all the fungal species mentioned hereby are new reports from papaya seeds from Pakistan.
