EFFECT OF SEED-BORNE MYCOFLORA ON GERMINATION AND FATTY ACID PROFILE OF PEANUTS

Abstract

Peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) occupies the second largest area among the oilseed crops after mustard and rapeseed in Pakistan. It is the main legume crop and primarily grown as oilseed crop. Due to the presence of high percentage of fatty acids in its oil, its nutritional properties are considered as favorable for human and animals. In the present study, seed-borne fungi were recovered from four different varieties of peanut with their incidence percentage. Data revealed that all the varieties were affected by the fungal species however, the variety, Golden showed maximum incidence of up to 70 % of Aspergillus spp. while the variety BARI-2011 had the least percent incidence of upto15 % of Rhizopus spp. Germination test was carried by Standard rolled paper method and minimum growth (8% as healthy seed germination) was observed in Golden and maximum growth in BARI-2011 of 22 % as healthy seed germination. Fatty acid profile determination was done by Gas Chromatography percentage of fatty acids were examined and evaluated that the fungal pathogen has an influence on the oil contents and fatty acids in the peanut seeds. The saturated fatty acids were increased and unsaturated fatty acids decreased due to an oxidation process and production of toxic metabolites in the seed which also reduced the germination percentage. It is concluded from the present study that the seed borne fungi are known to affect adversely seed germination and fatty acid composition due to the production of toxic metabolites in the peanut seeds.