Seed-Borne Mycoflora of Edible Oilseed Crops of India

Seeds play an important role in the dissemination of pathogens externally and internally, which affect the crop either at early or at late stages of growth. The importance of seed-borne fungi is well recognized. Seeds of oilseed crops are heavily affected both quantitatively and qualitatively by seed mycoflora. The storage fungi tremendously affect the quality of the seeds during storage by depleting the reserve food material stored in the seed and reduce the seedling vigour by producing hydrolytic enzymes, which adversely affect the chemical constituents of the seed. The storage fungi also affect the seed viability adversely and decrease the germination percentage of infected seeds. Likewise storage mycoflora may result in the embryo or the whole seed discolouration. The presence of seed-borne mycoflora in oilseeds results in colour changes and decreased oil content; they produce a foul smell and lead to hydrolytic rancidity. Invasion by seed mycoflora also brings about biochemical changes, evident by increase in respiration process. In our country, very little attention has been paid towards seed fungal flora of oilseed crops. So, in the present chapter, cumulative report regarding predominant seed mycoflora of eight major edible oilseed crops, viz. groundnut, mustard, soybean, sunflower, sesame, castor, safflower and linseed, has been summarized and the changes caused by them during the storage are assessed.