MYCOFLORA ASSOCIATED WITH PUMPKIN SEEDS (Cucurbita moschata DUCHESNE) SUBMITTED TO THE METHOD: BLOTTER TEST (Atena Editora)

Abstract

The seed health test seeks to analyze seeds in order to identify lots with high sanitary quality for good crop production. The objective of this work was to point out the incidence of fungi in pumpkin seeds (Cucurbita moschata) var. Brazilian Girl, as well as the use of osmotic potential restriction, through the Blotter test method. Test I used two different batches: marketed dried seeds (SC) and fresh fruit seeds (SF), all of which were incubated for seven days for analysis of fungal incidence. Test II used only SC submitted to six treatments: NaCl (-0.6 Mpa); NaCl (-0.7 MPa); KCl (-0.6 MPa); KCl (-0.7 Mpa) and freezing and incubated for seven days. Both assays were subjected to sanity tests using the Blotter test method. In the two seed lots tested SC and SF, there was 96% germination and incidence of four and five, respectively, different fungal genera, also listed for test II. The use of Mpa did not significantly prevent seed germination, however, there was an incidence of fungi of the genus Rhizopus sp., Fusarium sp., Aspergillus sp., Trichoderma sp., Colletotrichum sp., Cladosporium sp., Penicillium sp., Curvularia sp., and Bipolaris sp. These, find in the storage, conditions of humidity and temperature favorable to its development, therefore, the treatment of seeds can be an adequate measure to inhibit pathogens in the phases of production still in field and of storage. The use of water restriction appears to be a promising methodology for seed health analysis.