Influence of Myrothecium roridum on seed germination and seedling growth of melon plants. Summa Phytopathologica

ABSTRACT A large number of soilborne fungi affect melon crop, among which the species Myrothecium roridum is highlighted for attacking various parts of the plant, including the seed. The present study investigated the effect of Myrothecium roridum inoculation on seed germination and seedling growth of melon accessions/cultivars in order to identify the least sensitive genotypes. The experiment was carried out in completely randomized design with four replicates in 38 x 2 factorial arrangement, in which the first factor corresponded to the accessions/cultivars, with 38 levels, while the second factor, inoculation, had two levels: with and without inoculation. The evaluated traits were related to germination (emergence percentage and rate) and seedling growth (height, collar diameter, seedling dry weight and leaf area index). The fungus M. roridum negatively affected the germination, emergence rate and seedling development of melon accessions. The accessions with least sensitivity to the fungus M. roridum were: A-6, A-8, A-19, A-22, A-39 and A-45.