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Molecular characterization of fungi in stored melon seeds from South-West Nigeria
Abstract:
Stored melon seeds are infested by fungi which cause loss of quality and consequently of the seeds at various stages of deterioration. Field pests of this important seed have been numerously enumerated and conventional methods have been used to determine the identity of the pathogens. In addition to previously used techniques, this study was carried out to identify fungal pathogens of stored melon seeds and assess information provided by the phylogenetic relationships. Discoloured and mouldy seeds from four markets each in four towns in each of the six states were plated directly on freshly prepared agar. Cultural, microscopic and molecular characteristics of purified isolates were determined. One hundred and eight fungal isolates were obtained and identified as strains of Curvularia lunata, Aspergillus flavus, A. oryzae, C. geniculata, Fusarium equiseti, Neurospora sitophila, Lasiodiplodia pseudotheobromae and Penicillium simplicissimum.
Keywords:
Fungi, Melon seeds, Nigeria