Effect of Growing Location on Internally-Seedborne Fungi, Seed Germination, and Field Emergence of Pigeon Pea in Puerto Rico

Abstract

Fungi representing 10 genera were isolated from internal tissues of pigeon pea seeds of four cultivars grown at Isabela, P. R. Seed quality of all cultivars tested from Isabela was low (low percentage seed germination and high incidence of seedborne fungi). The occurrence of fungi from seeds of the cultivar 2B-Bushy, which had poor physical appearance (wrinkled seedcoat and discolored) was higher, and germination was lower, than for seeds of good physical appearance (uniform shape and color). Seed of cultivar 28-Bushy produced at Fortuna, P.R. had less internally-seedborne fungi and greater germination in vitro and emergence in the field than seeds produced at Isabela. The occurrence of total internally-seedborne fungi, Phomopsis sp., Lasiodiplodia theobromae, Fusarium semitectum, and Alternaria tenuissima was negatively correlated with emergence in the field. The occurrence of Aspergillus sp. was not negatively correlated with field emergence.