SURVEY OF FUNGI IN WHEAT SEEDS

Abstract

The occurrence of pathogenic fungi in wheat seeds has been frequently reported, and this association is sometimes responsible for decreasing seeds physiologic quality, as well as introducing and disseminating pathogens and transferring early pathogens to the progeny. The objective of this study was to perform the first survey of fungi associated with upland and irrigated wheat seeds, in the Mato Grosso State, Brazil. The Brilhante, BRS 264, Aliança, BR 18, BRS 254, and IAC 350 cultivars were used. The health analysis was performed with the aid of the Blotter test adapted to water restriction (NaCl - 1.0 MPa), with eight replications (25 seeds per plate), totalizing 200 seeds per sample. The fungi identification was based on their morphologic features and their incidence was quantified. The results showed variability in diversity and incidence, with a total of 20 fungi genera in the 32 samples. Cladosporium cladosporioides and Bipolaris sorokiniana were present in 96.87% of the samples, followed by Fusarium graminearum, with 75.00%, and Pyricularia grisea, with 59.37%.