Fungi associated with Paspalum guenoarum seeds: their impact on physiology and control

Of the natural pastures grown in southern Brazil, those of the genus Paspalum are the most important. One of the factors that hinder their cultivation is the availability of quality seeds, that are often compromised by the presence of fungi. This study determined the in vitro sensitivity of Paspalum guenoarum ecotype azulão seed-associated fungus to certain fungicides and to measure the efficiency of chemical treatments for fungal control and seed physiological performance. Bipolaris micropus, Epicoccum sorghinum, Curvularia geniculata and Fusarium incarnatum associated with seeds were tested in vitro against Carbendazim; Tiram, Fludioxonil; Metalaxil-M, Carboxina; Tiram and Tiofanato-metílico at 0, 1, 2.5, 5, 10 and 30 µg/mL. This experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design (factorial 4 × 4 × 6). Qualitative variables were compared using the Tukey test (P ≤ 0.05) and quantitative variables were subjected to regression analysis. Carbendazim; Tiram and Fludioxonil; Metalaxil-M had the best fungicidal performances, each inhibiting three of the four fungi with LD50s below 1 µg/mL. Subsequently, these two fungicides were used alone or in combination in the in vivo test. A completely randomized design was used and the means were compared using the Tukey test (P < 0.05). The chemical treatment of the seeds resulted in improvement of five of the six evaluated physiological parameters. The identification of the primary fungi associated with Paspalum seeds reported in this research, as well as damage done to them, can be diminished using appropriate measures such as seed treatments. RESUMO: Das pastagens naturais cultivadas no sul do Brasil, as do gênero Paspalum são as mais importantes. Um dos fatores que dificultam o cultivo é a disponibilidade de sementes de qualidade, muitas vezes comprometidas pela presença de fungos. Os objetivos deste estudo foram determinar a sensibilidade in vitro de fungos associados a sementes de Paspalum guenoarum ecótipo azulão a determinados fungicidas, medir a eficiência de tratamentos químicos para controle desses fungos e o desempenho fisiológico das sementes. Os fungos associados às sementes, Bipolaris micropus, Epicoccum sorghinum, Curvularia geniculata e Fusarium incarnatum foram testados in vitro contra Carbendazim; Tiram, Fludioxonil; Metalaxil-M, Carboxina; Tiram e Tiofanato-metílico em 0, 1, 2,5, 5, 10 e 30 µg/mL. Este experimento foi conduzido em um delineamento inteiramente casualizado (fatorial 4 × 4 × 6).