Seed-Borne Mycoflora of Selected Rice Varieties in Mubi, Adamawa State Nigeria

The main objective of the study was to investigate the incidence of seed-borne mycoflora of rice seeds from Mubi. Rice varieties were obtained from marketers at Kasuwan Dole, Mubi. The varieties use included Garuwa, Chaina, Hurda, Kotaina, Faro 44 and Gudai. Blotter paper and agar plate method were used to isolate fungal species associated with the rice varieties. A total of nine fungal genera associated with the rice seed samples were identified in both blotter paper and agar plate methods. The fungus Alternaria padwickii (15.59 %) was the most predominant in the blotter method, while Curvularia oryzae in the agar plate method. The blotter method yielded a higher percentage of seed mycoflora in Kotaina with 19.10 %, while the lowest was observed on Gudai with 12.94 %. The agar plate method yielded a higher percentage of seed mycoflora in Kotaina with 20.44 %, and the lowest was observed on Hurda with 11.35 %. The highest vigour index was obtained in Hurda (471.28) and the lowest in Kotaina (155.83). A negative correlation was observed in the four varieties, while a positive correlation was obtained in Garuwa (0.585 %). This study revealed diverse species of fungi associated with rice seed varieties. Further research on the economic importance of these seed-borne fungi with regards to seed germination and seedling infection resulting from these fungi is thus recommended