Detection and identification of sorghum (Sorghum sp) seed-borne fungi

In order to investigate seed-borne fungi of sorghum as well as to determine the most frequent pathogens in seeds of this crop in the State of S. Paulo-Brazil, a survey was carried out with seed samples from several varieties and hybrids collected in different localities of this State. Seed health tests of the samples were performed by the blotter method. About 42 difrerent species of fungi were detected in the seeds, the following ones were predominant: Alternaria longissima, A. tenuis, Cladosporium sp., Colletotrichum graminicola, Curvularia spp., Drechslera halodes, D. rostrata, Epicoccum sp., Fusarium moniliforme, F. semitectum, Nigrospora sp. and Phoma sp. Among the fungi which can be pathogenic to sorghum crop, the following ones were observed: C. graminicola, C. gloeosporioides, Cercospora sp., Corynespora sp., F. moniliforme, Drechslera maydis, D. sorghicola, D. rostrata, Septoria sp., Phomopsis sp., Curvularia spp., Phoma sp., Botryodiplodia sp. and Rhizoctonia sp. C. graminicola, a sorghum important pathogeen was detected in 58,3% of the 1983 samples, at 0,5-25% infection level; in 74% of the 1984 samples, at 0,5-28%; and in 42,8% of the 1985 samples, at 1-19,5%.

KEY-WORDS:
Sorghum; fungi; seeds.