55 Pak. J. Phytopathol., Vol. 21(1): 55-60, 2009. SEED BORNE FUNGAL PATHOGENS ASSOCIATED WITH PEARL MILLET (PENNISETUM TYPHOIDES) AND THEIR IMPACT ON SEED GERMINATION Azhar Hussain, Safdar A. Anwar 1 , G. M. Sahi 1 , Q. Abbas and Imran Department of Food, Agriculture and Chemical Technology, Karakoram International University, Northern Areas, Gilgit 1 Department of Plant Pathology, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad-38040, Pakistan. Corresponding author’s e-mail: anwar.safdarf@yahoomail.com ABSTRACT This study was conducted to assess the incidence of seed-borne fungi and their impact on seed germination of pearl millet (Pennisetum typhoides). Standard blotter method was used to isolate seed-borne fungi, whereas the impact of seed associated fungal pathogens on seed germination was determined by rolled paper method. The fungal pathogens incidence, their frequency of occurrence and impact on germination varied from cultivar to cultivar. The fungi belonging to nine genera were isolated and identified from the seeds of eight pearl millet cultivars collected from National Agricultural Research Centre (NARC), Islamabad. The highest fungal incidence (35%) was observed on seeds of pearl millet cv. MC-94-11-RM, followed by cv. KMV-96772 (34.5%), and the lowest incidence (15%) on cv. RARI-Comp-II. Whereas, the seeds of remaining five cultivars had intermediate fungal incidence. Most frequently isolated fungi were Alternaria alternata (35.5%), Fusarium semitectum (33.5%), and Curvularia lunata (23.5%). The presence of other associated mycoflora was less than 20%. Germination test of these naturally infected seeds of pearl millet cultivars showed above 80% germination with variable number of normal and abnormal seedlings for each cultivar. The mycoflora associated with seeds reduced germination ability of the seeds. Our findings necessitate the use of fungicide treated seeds before sowing. Key words: Seedborne fungi, frequency, germination of pearl millet seeds, incidence. INTRODUCTION Seeds are regarded as highly effective means for transporting plant pathogens over long distances. Numerous examples exist in literature for the international spread of plant diseases as a result of the importation of seeds that were infected or contaminated with pathogens (Agarwal and Sinclair, 1996). Seed-borne pathogens have been involved in seed rots during germination and seedling mortality leading to poor crop stand (Khalid et al., 2001); reduction in plant growth and productivity of crops (Williams and McDonald, 1983; Kubiak and Korbas, 1999; Dawson and Bateman, 2001.). The seed-borne pathogens associated with seeds externally or internally may cause seed abortion, seed rot, seed necrosis, reduction or elimination of germination capacity, as well as seedling damage resulting in development of disease at later stages of plant growth by systemic or local infection (Bateman and Kwasna, 1999; Asif et al., 2001; Ijaz, et al., 2001; Khanzada et al., 2002). Pearl millet (Pennisetum typhoides), an important staple food for millions of people inhabiting the semi-arid tropics, is a major source of calories and a vital component of food in the developing world (FAO and ICRISAT, 1996). This crop is best suited to harsh climate of seasonally hot drought prone semi-arid region of Africa and Indian sub-continent. Pearl millet is an important coarse grain summer cereal crop of Pakistan that is planted in rainfed areas located in Attock, Bahawalnagar, Bahawalpur, Bunnu, Chakwal, Dadu, D. I. Khan. Gujrat, Hyderabad, Jhelum, Karak, Khairpur, Khuzdar, Lorali, Mianwali, Nawabshah, Rawalpindi, Sanghar, and Sibbi. Several diseases are responsible for low productivity but fungal diseases are the most important. However little information is available on the fungal pathogens of millet seeds in Pakistan. It suffers from many seed borne pathogens that cause reduction in germination at initial and foliage stage. At the maturity stage Alternaria alternata, Aspergillus flavus, A. niger and Fusarium semitectum deteriorate the quality and quantity of developing floral parts that reduces grain yield at maturity (Williams and McDonald, 1983). Pearl millet pathologists working at International Crop Research Institute for the Semi Arid-Tropics estimated global yield losses of 45%, 32%, 9%, 3%, and 1% due to downey mildew, striga, smuts, rusts,