An Assignment

On
Pathogenic Fungi & seed preservation and germination
Course title-Botany 2
Course no-zool. 211

Submitted to
Submitted by
Shamima Nasrin Jolly
Sijad Islam
Associate Professor
Class Roll-1210
Department of Botany
Registration No.47205
JahanGirnagar University
Session-(2017-2018)
Savar Dhaka-1342
Department of Zoology
Topic.1-Study of symptoms and causal organisms of common pathogenic
fungi.

Experiment-Study of fungi (Penicillium sp.)

● Penicillium Classification
○ Kingdom: Fungi
○ Division: Ascomycota
○ Class: Eurotiomycetes
○ Order: Eurotiales
○ Family: Trichocomaceae
○ Genus: Penicillium
○ Species:Penicillium sp.
 Identifying characteristics
● Having a profuse branching in a septate, cylindrical and thin-walled hyphae.
● A single cell of mycelium may contain one to many nuclei, i.e. Uninucleate or multinucleate.
●The arrangement of phialides is very typical, which resemble the brush-like clusters, and
sometimes known as “Penicillin”.
●The members of the genus Penicillium generally comprise conidial chains on the flask-like
phialides.

Symptoms
●Some species can produce mycotoxins. Common cause of extrinsic asthma.
●Acute symptoms include edema and bronchospasms, chronic cases may develop pulmonary
emphysema.
 Experiment-Study of fungi (Mucor sp.)

Classification Mucor
● Kingdom: Mycota
● Division: Zygomycota
● Sub-division: Zygomycotina
● Class: Zygomycetes
● Order: Mucorales
● Family: Mucoraceae
● Genus: Mucor
● Species:Mucor Sp.
Identifying Characteristics

● The mycelium of Mucor is highly branched, and it forms a fine network of hyphae.

● These are the thread-like and very thin structures that form a “Mycelial network”. Hyphae of
Mucor is filamentous, aseptate or coenocytic.

● Sporangiophore is elongated, slightly narrow in shape.

Symptoms
● Unable to infect humans and endothermic animals due to their inability to grow in warm
environments close to 37 degrees.
● Sometimes cause opportunistic, and often rapidly spreading, necrotizing infections known as
zygomycosis.
● They obtain their nutrition from metabolizing non-living organic matter
 Experiment-Study of fungi (Aspergillus sp.)

Aspergillus Classification

● Kingdom:Fungi
● Division:Ascomycota
● Class:Eurotiomycetes
● Order:Eurotiales
● Family:Trichocomaceae
● Genus:Aspergillus
● Species:Aspergillus Sp.
Identifying Characteristics
● Aspergillus species exists only as molds, they are not dimorphic.
● Highly aerobic in nature
● They have septate hyphae that form dichotomous branches (lateral and/or apical branches
the same width as the parent hyphae from which they were derived) emerging at ~ 45 degree
angles from the parent hyphae (i.e. acute angle branching).
● The walls of the hyphae are more or less parallel, in contrast to Mucor and Rhizopus walls,
which are irregular.

Sympyoms
● The most common species causing allergic disease
● Aspergillus spp. cause disease on many grain crops, especially maize, and some variants
synthesize mycotoxins, including aflatoxin.
● Aspergillus can cause neonatal infections.
● Transmission is by inhalation of airborne conidia.
Topic 2-Modern techniques of seed preservation and various techniques of
seed germination.

Seeds should have a good storage facility,since seeds are the main genetic linkage between two
generations of a plant species. Seeds should be stored in such a manner, that its germination
capacity and vigour should not decline. In temperate regions, seeds can be stored at ambient
conditions for longer period, whereas in tropical and sub tropical regions parameters such as
temperature and moisture should be adjusted as per requirement to preserve the seed vigour.

Nearly 30% of the seeds are lost during storage period due to insects, rodents and
microorganisms. The storage period begins right at the time of attainment of the physiological
maturity of seeds in the field till it is planted in the next season. Care should be taken to preserve
the germination capacity, viability and vigour of the seeds. This manual explains various principles
and methods of seed storage.
Classification of Seeds based on Storage
Seeds can be categorized into three types based on the longevity of the seeds during storage,
1. Orthodox seeds
2. Intermediate seeds
3. Recalcitrant seeds
1. Orthodox seeds

1-Orthodox seeds are also called long lived seeds. They can be stored for a relatively longer
period. They can be dried up to moisture level without any injury and can also withstand
freezing temperatures. Eg. Rice, Maize etc.
2. Intermediate seeds-These seeds can also be stored for longer period, but it cannot withstand
low temperature. It tolerates the drying to low moisture level. Eg. Legumes, Papaya, Citrus etc.
3. Recalcitrant seeds-Recalcitrant seeds can be stored only for a short span of time. Since it
cannot be dried to less than 30% moisture level, chances of pest and disease incidence is more. It
cannot withstand drying under direct sun. These seeds never get into dormancy stage, but
continueto enter into the next stage of germination. Eg. Mango, Jack etc.
Steps in Seed Storage
The major steps involved in seed storage are,
• Dry and cool storage conditions.
• Protection from pests.
• Sanitation of seed storage area.
• Drying of seeds before storing.
• Storing well cleaned seeds in the storage godown.
Different Stages of Seeds Storage
The storage of seeds is initiated at the time of attainment of physiological maturity and maintained
till the next sowing season. Hence, the different stages involved in seed storage are as follows:
• Period from physiological maturity to harvest.
• Period from harvest to packaging.
• Period from packaging to storing.
• Period from storing to marketing of seeds.
• On farm storage (Purchased seeds used for planting in the field).
Storage in the godown is highly influenced by external environmental conditions. All other stages
should be monitored and care should be taken to ensure the physical purity, germination
viability and vigour of the seeds.
Modern Storage Structures
1. Pusa bin is built with the help of unburnt brick. A polyethylene sheet is placed in between two
brick walls to make it airtight. The inlet is at the top for loading and for unloading and the outlet is at t
bottom of the bin. Bins are constructed by few layers of burnt bricks plastered with cement at the
bottom to avoid rodent damage.
2. Storage in metal drums- Farmers use metal drums for storing sorghum, maize, millets and
groundnuts.The capacity of the drum is 600 kgs and it should be clean and dry before storage.Seeds
are filled in the drum using funnel and closed tightly with a cap. Seeds can be protected from rodent
damage and the drums can be easily fumigated to protect the seeds from pest attack
Capacity of such storage container is 600 kgs.
3. Storage in metal bins- For small scale storage, metal bins can be used. Bins are placed on the
raised platform or cement base to protect the seepage of water from outer floor to inside the bin.
Bins are lightweight and easy to handle. Capacity of such storage container is 1000 kgs.
4. Pucca kothi- It is an indoor structure built with the help of burnt bricks and cement. It is constructe
on an elevated floor and the walls should be plastered after embedding the polythene sheet to make
it airtight. Inlet is at the top and the outlet is at the bottom of the structure. The inner layer should be
reinforced with iron bars for strengthening the walls. This structure is used to maintain the moisture
level of the stored product at the same level in which it is stored. Capacity varies according
to the space available in rural houses.
5. Reinforced cement concrete ring bin- It is built with the help of cement concrete rings easily available in
all areas. The rings are placed one over the other on the cement concrete roof with steel inlet opening on the
roof. An outlet is provided either at the base or at the lower ring itself.The rings are joined together with the
help of cement mortar. Capacity varies according to the diameter of each ring and number of rings used in
each bin.
6. Gharelu thekka-The storage capacity of this structure ranges from 1 - 3 metric tonnes. The structure
consists of metal base with fabricated 22 gauge sheets, rubberized cloth container and bamboo posts for
lateral support. The height of the structure is 2 m.The structure is moisture proof and air tight and is suitable for
periodical fumigation.

Various Techniques of Seed Germination

Germination is the process a seed goes through when it begins to grow into a plant. Seeds
germinate when the conditions are right for their variety --the environment must be at the right
temperature and moisture and oxygen must be present. Some seeds will germinate easily by
simply planting them in the soil, but others may need help from gardeners to germinate
onschedule.Here I will describe 3 Common methods of seed germination.
1. Paper Towel Method for Seed Germination
The paper towel method is very simple. All your need is a square of paper towel, water,and a
plastic Ziplock bag or clings wrap (and, of course, seeds).
1. Rip off a square of decent quality paper towels (something that can hold its
shape when moist and not fall apart).
2. Wet the paper towel and then squeeze it, so it's moist but not dripping.
3. Place your seeds on the paper towel and fold them over.
4. Put a folded paper towel in a Ziplock bag or cover in cling wrap.
5. Place on a sunny window sill.
6. Check progress in 3–5 days.
It's best to plant the seeds earlier than later; otherwise, they become quite embedded into the
paper towel and can become tricky to dislodge.

2. Rockwool Seed Germination Method

Rockwool is often used for house insulation to reduce noise and prevent mold. Visit your local
nursery or hydroponics store and pick up some small Rockwool cubes, either with holes or
without.
1. Soak the Rockwool in water for a few hours, longer if desired.
2. Make a hole with a toothpick or knife.
3. Drop the seed into the hole and push it down to the bottom.
4. Place the Rockwool on your window ledge and play the waiting game.
This method works great for a hydroponics system where you can use the Rockwool throughout
the process. Otherwise, separating the young plant from the Rockwool can be tough.
3. Regular Seed Germination Method
This is the regular method, and it involves simply mixing some high-quality potting mix with compost.
You may think this method is hopeless, but I’ve had lots of success with it by following the specific
needs of the seeds. Ensure you read the seed pack to check if the soil needs to stay moist or if
watering is only required after the seedling pops out.
Just simply,
1. Mix 2/3 quality potting soil with 1/3 compost.
2. Add the seeds on the top, then cover with a light layer of soil.
3. Gently pat down the soil, so the seeds don’t move around.
4. Water occasionally if required.
5. Wait until seedling bursts out; this can take quite some time. It took 2–3 weeks
for my mint plant to show up.