A METHOD FOR COMPREHENSIVE EVALUATION OF CAPSICUM SEED WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO SEED-BORNE FUNGI

Twenty-five seed samples of Capsicum were tested for seed-borne fungi in the Beijing area, China. Thirty-four were found, belonging to 19 di fferent genera. Pathogenicity tests were carried out, and the index of fungal infection and category of seed health were worked out for each sample. Concepts for use in comprehensive seed health evaluation are presented. It is suggested that routine laboratory testing could use t he pathogenic score that has been established for a given crop, togeth er with the percentage of seed-borne fungi recorded, in the evaluation of seed health. The steps in this method are outlined. Seed-borne bac terial and viral infections should be considered separately from funga l infections.