Safflower is one of the major rabi (post rainy) season oilseed crops in India. Wilt of safflower is caused by Verticillium albo-atrum is a major wilt disease. The objective of this work was to estimate the incidence of Verticillium albo-atrum in safflower seed using different seed health test methods. A total 67 samples were collected from retail shops, APMC markets, fields and farmers of different agro-climatic regions of Karnataka during 2008. The collected samples, 10 samples show a higher incidence of Verticillium albo-atrum and other fungi, were selected for PDA, Water agar and 2,4-D methods. The incidence of seed infection was 12-28% on a selective medium for standard blotter method (SBM), potato dextrose agar medium 5-18% (PDA), Water agar medium 6-11% and 2,4-D 8-19% (2, Dichloro phenoxy acetic acid) methods respectively. Determine the rate of pathogenicity under green house conditions. Verticillium albo-atrum showed the symptoms of wilts were observed in 1-10% wilts in one, two month seedlings and 30-50 wilts in three month old plants, no wilts observed in water treatment plants. Among the sample collected farmers samples show a higher incidence of Verticillium albo-atrum. The seed health test methods, SBM is most superior for isolating the Verticillium albo-atrum, saprophytic and pathogenic fungi. The importance of infected seed and its pathogenicity were discussed. Verticillium albo-atrum is a causal agent of wilt disease in safflower.
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