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Verticillium dahliae (Kleb.) Infecting Pumpkin Seed
Author(s) -
Rampersad Sephra N.
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
journal of phytopathology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.53
H-Index - 60
eISSN - 1439-0434
pISSN - 0931-1785
DOI - 10.1111/j.1439-0434.2009.01621.x
Subject(s) - verticillium dahliae , cucurbita pepo , biology , germination , verticillium wilt , cultivar , pumpkin seed , sodium hypochlorite , squash , horticulture , verticillium , botany , agronomy , chemistry , food science , organic chemistry
This study investigated the natural occurrence of Verticillium dahliae (Kleb.) infection in pumpkin ( Cucurbita pepo L.) seed. The mean incidence of infection was found to be 21.0%. Isolates recovered from seeds were pathogenic to pumpkin (cultivar ‘Jamaican squash’). Surface sterilization by immersion in 0.6% sodium hypochlorite for 20 min eradicated V. dahliae from infected pumpkin seeds without affecting germinability. Plating of seed components revealed that the fungus was present in the seed coat but not in the embryo or cotyledons. In a growing‐on test, 25% of 6‐week‐old plants grown from untreated seeds were infected. Germination and production of normal seedlings were unaffected by V. dahliae infection of seeds. Verticillium dahliae in pumpkin seed was found to be external and transmissible to plants. The findings of this study are important in devising disease control strategies.