Seed mycoflora associated with S apindus emerginatus Vahl.

The Sapindus emerginatus Vahl is an economically important tree which possess medicinal and as well as cosmetic properties. The mycoflora study showed that seed was composed of 20 isolates belonging 12 genera viz., Aspergillus, Botrytis, Cladosporium, Fusarium, Geotrichum, Gleosporium, Mucor, Paecilomyces, Pencillium, Phomopsis, Phoma, Rhizopus. The diversity of fungi found on seeds using agar plate and blotter methods is reported and the variations of fungal flora harbored are compared. Agar plate method yielded quantitatively as well as qualitatively more fungi than blotter method. In vitro study of fungicides (Dithane M-45, Captaf, Blitox, Bavistin and Emisan) was also undertaken to check their efficacy to inhibit the seed fungi. Among the fungicides tested, Emisan, Dithane M-45 and Captaf were highly effective in restraining the seed born fungi.