MYCOFLORA AND POPULATION-DYNAMICS OF SOME SEED-BORNE FUNGI IN RELATION TO THE FUNGICIDE BENLATE

A total of 1478 and 1108 fungal isolates were associated to one gram s eeds of Convolvulus arvensis and Rumex dentatus respectively. The domi nant genera were Aspergillus and Penicillium followed by Paecilomyces, Rhizopus and Fusarium. Aspergillus niger, A.flavus and A.humicole, we re common on both seeds. A.granulosus, Penicillium expansum were restr icted to C. arvensis seeds while A.carbonarius and P.lanosum were reco vered only from R.dentatus seeds. The dynamic balance of some seedborn e fungi fluctuates on soaking of either seeds in the fungicide Benlate , depending on the dose, soaking period and seed sample. The leachable substances which contain sugar, amino acids and phenolics are believe d to have antifungicidal effect after prolonged soaking of the seeds i n the fungicide. The germination of both seeds stimulated at the lower doses of the fungicide and the stimulation is more pronounced as the soaking period was extended. However, the higher doses were inhibitory to germination of both seeds.