Evaluation of Seed Health Status of Some Selected Podded and Root Vegetables in Bangladesh

Abstract

Evaluating the seed health status of selected vegetables in Bangladesh is crucial for sustainable agriculture and food security, as seed-borne pathogens can significantly reduce crop yield and quality. Identifying and mitigating these pathogens at the seed level helps prevent their spread, protect genetic resources, and reduce reliance on chemical interventions. It provides valuable insights into pathogen prevalence and diversity, supporting the development of effective management strategies for healthier crop production. The seed health status of podded vegetable crops, such as yard long beans and country beans, and root vegetables, including bottle gourds, sweet gourds, and sponge gourds, was examined in 2015 at the Seed Health Laboratory (SHL) of Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University. Loose seeds from each crop were collected from various wholesale seed markets in Dhaka. Two seed health assessment methods recommended by ISTA were employed: dry seed examination and the blotter method. The prevalence of seed-borne fungi varied significantly across different vegetable seeds, depending on the seed category and source. Six seed-borne fungi were identified in the examined seeds of three vegetable crop groups: Rhizopus spp., Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus, Fusarium sp., Chaetomium sp., and Alternaria spp. All six fungi were detected in the seeds of podded vegetables, while five were found in the seeds of leafy vegetables. Using the blotter method, seeds from Alo Bij Vander exhibited the highest level of fungal infection, whereas seeds from Bismillah Seed Store showed the lowest level. Among the crops, radish seeds displayed the highest frequency of seed-borne fungi, while yard long beans had the lowest. Based on the findings, it was evident that the health condition of loose vegetable seeds was substandard. However, further research with more representative seed samples from various markets across Bangladesh is necessary to provide a comprehensive understanding of seed health in relation to different seed sources.