Unveiling the Microbial Dynamics: Exploring Seed Cotton Microflora Diversity and Its Ramifications on Seed Health

Kumar Avinash Biswal¹, Nirakar Ranasingh², Rajeeb Lochan Moharana³ and Siddhartha Das^4*

¹Department of Plant Pathology, Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India

²Department of Plant Pathology, Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology, Bhawanipatna, Odisha, India

³Department of Seed science and Technology, Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology, Bhawanipatna, Odisha, India

⁴Department of Plant Pathology, Centurion University of Technology and Management, MS Swaminathan School of Agriculture, Paralakhemundi, Odisha, India

Corresponding Author E-mail:siddhartha.das10@gmail.com

DOI : http://dx.doi.org/10.12944/CARJ.12.3.29

Abstract:

In 2022-24 periods, an investigation was carried out to reveal diverse microflora in cotton seeds at Department of Plant Pathology and the Department of Seed Science and Technology within the College of Agriculture, Bhawanipatna, OUAT (https://aiccip.cicr.org.in/CZ-OD-Bpatna.html). The study involved seven germplasms, namely V1- Br. 06 a (N) 410, V2- Br. 06 a (N) 409, V3- 4a (Z) 2034, V4- 4a (Z) 2035, V5- CZ 6 a (Z) 2051, V6- Br. 06 a (N) 411, V7- 4a (Z) 2032, obtained from AICRP on Cotton, RRTTS, Bhawanipatna (https://aiccip.cicr.org.in/CZ-OD-Bpatna.html). The seeds were examined using the blotter paper and Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) method, and the experiment included three replications to assess the associated microbes and seed health status. The blotter paper method revealed the presence of six fungi, Aspergillus niger and Fusarium oxysporum, were identified in cotton seeds, along with the bacterium Xanthomonas spp (8.3%). Curvularia lunata was the predominant fungus at (9.8%), followed by Fusarium oxysporum (8.7%) and Alternaria alternata (8.5%). Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus, and Macrophomina phaseolina were also present, each at varying percentages. Where as in PDA method, three fungi—Macrophomina phaseolina, Fusarium oxysporum, and Alternaria alternata—were identified. Fusarium oxysporum dominated at 23.5%, followed by Alternaria alternata (22.47%) and Macrophomina phaseolina (17.3%), along with Xanthomonas spp. at 20.2%. Blotter paper method showed 24.91% seed microflora infection, higher than PDA's 12.07%. CZ 6a (Z) 2051. 75% cotton had the highest infection (30.25%), while BR-06a (N)410 had the lowest (8.35%).

Keywords:

Biodiversity; Cotton; Germplasms; Microflora; Seed health

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