Mycofloral study of cultivated maize seed in district Poonch Azad Jammu and Kashmir

The current study was carried out on the prevalence of mycoflora associated with maize seeds using blotter paper method. Maize seed samples were collected from six different locations of district Poonch, Azad Jammu and Kashmir. Objective of this study was to determine the fungi associated with maize seeds. A total of seven species of fungi were isolated. Penicillium spp., Fusarium spp., Aspergillus niger, A. flavus , Fusarium spp., Fusarium oxysporum and Pythium spp., were identified. Davigali had the infection percentage of 72 % in all locations. Occurrence frequency and type of fungi isolated varied with location. Prevalence of pathogenic fungi with maize seeds of district Poonch was found variable. Resistant varieties of maize, maintaining temperature, relative humidity and their treatment is suggested to reduce disease and increase yield.