Fungal and seed treatment interference in the viability of coriander seeds

Abstract

The determination of the sanitary quality is important to diagnose if the commercialized lots are free of pathogens and to make a decision about the need for seed treatment. The objective was to evaluate the interference of fungi associated with coriander seed lots in their physiological performance and the effect of seed treatment with the fungicide Metalaxyl-m + Fludioxonil. The study was carried out in two steps. In experiment I, the physiological potential and sanitary characterization of 18 coriander seed lots were evaluated, using the tests, water content, tetrazolium test and health test. In experiment II, we evaluated the physiological performance of coriander seeds with and without fungicide treatment using the first count and germination test. Coriander seed lots showed high physiological potential, however, not all lots expressed their maximum potential in the germination test without treatment, due to the negative effect of fungi associated with seeds, mainly A. dauci and in association with A. alternata. There was an improvement in the physiological performance of coriander seeds treated with Metalaxyl-m + Fludioxonil fungicide.

Lytic and Molecular Evidence of the Widespread Coriander Leaf Spot Disease Caused by Alternaria dauci

“…Additionally, the essential oils derived from its seeds have been found to have properties such as carminative, laxative, anti-diabetic, diuretic, hypolipidemic, and anti-cancer actions. Nutritionally, coriander is a great supply of calcium, iron, vitamin C, and provitamin A [6,7].…”

“…survive as a mycelium or spores in dead host tissue left on or in the soil, and on or within seeds from infected plants, which are spread from it by wind or splashing water. In this respect, seeds represent the main means of transmission of some Alternaria diseases, causing the rotting of seeds or infection of radicals, and finally seedling mortality [7,12,[14][15][16]. Under favorable conditions, Alternaria disease symptoms are characterized by the emergence of brown lesions on the different infected plant tissues.…”

“…Under favorable conditions, Alternaria disease symptoms are characterized by the emergence of brown lesions on the different infected plant tissues. On leaves, for example, the disease progresses and when approximately 40% of the leaf surface is affected, the entire leaf turns yellow and dies, resulting in the characteristic blights [7].…”

“…Alternaria alternata, A. dauci, and A. radicina have been reported as large-scale phytopathogens in the Apiaceae family, which can attack different plant parts causing lesions on leaves, petioles, and inflorescences, as well as attack the roots leading to seedling damping-off [7]. Several Alternaria spp.…”

“…In the following 14 years, A. dauci has been reported in many other countries including India [20,21], the United States [22], Algeria [23], and recently in Brazil [24]. Coriander plants and seeds have recently been found to be infected with A. dauci [7,25].…”