PREVALENCE OF FUNGI IN THE SEEDS AND SEEDLINGS OF BLACKBERRY

Abstract

Prevalence of fungi in seeds of blackberry plant collected from six different sources under Netrakona and Dhaka district were recorded. Seven different fungi, representing six genera, were detected in the seeds of blackberry. The seven seed borne fungi observed on blackberry seed , were Pestalotia psidii, Curvularia lunata, Fusarium equiseti, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger, Rhizopus sp. and Penicillium sp. All these seven fungi on the seeds of blackberry appear to be new records for Bangladesh. Prevalence of all these fungi varied significantly (P=1 %) with respect to location. Pathogenicity test reveals that Curvularia lunata, Pestalotia psidii and Fusarium equiseti are pathogenic to blackberry tested in five selected nurseries in two different districts. In survey, four fungi species such as Puccinia psidii, Pestalotia psidii, Fusarium equiseti and Curvularia lunata were isolated from the leaves and stems of blackberry.