Detection of Microflora Associated With Finger Millets in Storage Condition

Four varieties of finger millets seeds were collected from Pulse Research Station, Berhampur, Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology on 08 March, 2021. The varieties are Arjuna, Kalua, Bhairabi and Subhra. The visual and microscopic examination of infected seed samples were carried out to study the abnormal, discolored seeds and the fungal bodies present with them. Isolation of fungi associated with finger millet seeds were carried out by taking from randomly 400 seeds from the composite seed sample by standard moist blotter method. Twenty seeds per petri plates, after surface sterilization by 1% sodium hypochlorite solution for one minute. The fungal growths of different fungi obtained on seeds were transferred on PDA petri plates. Each fungal species isolated was further purified by hyphal tip method. Various cultures obtained were maintained on PDA slants for further study. Various seed-infecting fungi developed on the millet seeds, were separately cultured on PDA petri plates. Each fungal growth was critically observed under microscope for cultural and morphological characters. Finally, fungal characteristics observed were compared with the characteristics and described in various manuals. Cultures were maintained on PDA slants by sub culturing and stored at 25 0C for further study. The pathogenicity test was carried out for Fusarium oxysporum, Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus flavus. Apparently healthy seeds of finger millet’s ‘Arjuna’ and ‘Subhra’ variety were used for testing the pathogenicity of different isolates.