Storage of mungbean seed (Vigna radiata (L) Wilczek) inoculated with four species of Aspergilli

Abstract

Four species of AJpergilli namely Aspergillus flavus, A. niger, A. fumigatus and A. parasiticus were used in the study. Mungbean seeds were inoculated with the the above fungi; mould invasion and percent germination up to 18 weeks of storage at 30%, 50% and 95% RH were evaluated. The infection due to A. flavus, A. fumigatus and A. parasiticus was greater than 80% after 18 weeks of storage at 95% relative himidity (RH). Maximum infection of 90% by A. niger was obtained after 9 weeks of storage at 95% RH but thereafter, the percentage infection decreased. At 30% and 50% RH, infection by A. fumigatus was lowest while that of A. flavus was highest after 18 weeks of storage. Seeds stored at 30% and 50% RH did not show any decline in germination even after the 18th week of storage. However, seed stored at 95% RH showed a decline in germination after the 12th week of storage.