Methods suitable for estimation of infection of bean seeds by Colletotrichum lindemuthianum and fungi of the genus Fusarium

Abstract

Bean seeds were analyzed for infection by Colletotrichum lindemuthianum and fungi of the genus Fusarium using the method of isolation on maltose medium and by means of planting the seeds in moist sand. 38 samplesof seed from various varieties of beans were examined. Both methods proved to be suitable for the detection of fungi, but the percentage of seeds infected by Colletotrichum lindemuthianum and fungi of the Fusarium genus can be estimated more precisely by determining the number of infected seedlings obtained from material planted in the sand. On the agar medium used the growth of Colletotrichum lindemuthanum and fungi from the Fusarium genus was impossible due to other fungi present in the plant material. Treatment of the bean seeds with a low temperature (-16ºC for 12 hours) in necessary before using the method of isolation on maltose medium.