Comparison between two detection techniques of seed-borne pathogens in cucurbits in Bangladesh

Fifty four seed samples of three cucurbits namely sweet gourd (Cucurbita moschata Duch. Ex Poir.), white gourd (Benincasa hispida Cogn.) and bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.) were collected from six different districts of Bangladesh, to find out a suitable detection technique of associated seed-borne fungi in laboratory conditions. Three different detection methods namely, dry inspection, blotter test and seedling symptom test were compared in present study. Among the tested three detection techniques, more infection rates were observed for Aspergillus flavus and Penicillium in all cucurbit seeds in blotter test method, whereas higher infection caused by Fusarium and Rhizopus were recorded in test tube seedling symptom test. The higher germination percentage of cucurbit seeds was observed in blotter test and it is less expensive, quick and useful for the detection of most of the infectious fungi.