Mycobiota of Wheat Seeds with Signs of “Black Point” under Conditions of Forest-Steppe and Forest Zones of Ukraine

Abstract

Composition of phytopathogens—causal agents of “black point” was studied in 2018–2019. Investigations were carried out at the Institute of Plant Protection of National Academy of Agrarian Sciences of Ukraine. Seed samples were taken from different locations in the Forest-Steppe and Polissya zones of Ukraine. The results obtained showed that fungi from the genus Alternaria Nees dominated in the pathogen complex. They were isolated from 76.5–83.1% of seeds from the Forest-Steppe of Ukraine. Less often they were found in samples from the Polissya zone (59.0–69.4%). Alternaria tenuissima тa Alternaria infectoria were isolated in an almost equal proportion. In addition, seeds with “black point” were colonized by fungi from genera Fusarium Link, Curvularia Boed, Bipolaris Shoem., Aspergillus P.Micheli, Nigrospora Zimm., Cladosporium Link, Acremoniella Sacc., Stemphillium Walr., Sordaria Ces. & De Not, Epicoccum Link, Aureobasidium Viala at Boy. It should be noted that the causal agent of nigrospora dry rot of maize Nigrospora oryzae (Berk & Broom) Petch was isolated from nearly 6% of seeds from the Polissya zone. In addition, saprophitic fungi Stemphillium spp. and Sordaria spp. were found. The majority of isolated fungi produce mycotoxins which are harmful for people and animals. Thus, the monitoring of species composition of pathogens on wheat seeds, in particular causal agents of “black point”, is essential for obtaining a high-quality wheat grain.

Keywords

• wheat
• black point
• composition of phytopathogens
• <i>Alternaria</i> spp.
• <i>Nigrospora oryzae</i>