Abstract:
Eleven seed-borne fungal species were recorded in the 18 maize seed samples collected from 6 maize growing districts
of Punjab and Khyber-Pakhtoonkhwa, Pakistan. Aspergillus flavus, A. niger and Fusarium moniliforme were the most
prevalent species with the incidence range up to 94, 62 & 43%, respectively. Maximum number of fungal species i.e., 10
was observed from Okara, Sahiwal and Nowshehra, 9 from Mansehra, whereas 8 were recorded from Mardan and Pakpattan
samples. A comparative study was designed to evaluate eight fungicides to control maize seed mycoflora at the rate of 2.0,
2.5, 3.0 and 3.5 g kg-1. Benlate followed by Thiophanate Methyl and Thiram provided the maximum fungal control at the
dose of 3 and 3.5 g kg-1. Maximum germination percentage was attained in case of seed dressing with Benlate followed by
Thiram and Thiophanate methyl at the rate of 3g kg-1, which revealed Benlate to be a broad spectrum seed dressing
fungicide with no adverse effect on germination.
