Evaluation of the Phytotoxic Potential of Two Aspergillus

Abstract

Seed borne pathogens can cause reduction in germination capacity of seeds resulting in crop losses. Many biologically active metabolites are produced by Aspergillus species some of which have herbicidal activity. This study was undertaken to study the phytotoxic effect of cell free culture filtrates of two Aspergillus isolates on germination of Vigna radiata seeds (green gram seeds). Fifteen-day old culture filtrates of both the Aspergillus isolates inhibited the germination of Vigna radiata seeds but CFCF of Aspergillus isolate #11 was more phytotoxic in comparison to Aspergillus isolate #14. Culture filtrate of both isolates was extracted with chloroform to obtain crude extract. The crude extract of both isolates was observed to be phytotoxic as they inhibited germination of Vigna radiata seeds. It was thus inferred that reduction in seed germination was due to phytotoxic metabolites produced by these isolates.