Evaluation of Groundnut Varieties for Resistance to Seed Infection by Aspergillus flavus

Groundnut is a legume crop an important food crop in the world and the third most important oil seed crop. However, groundnut crop suffers from major diseases such as flavus rot caused by Aspergillus which are soil-borne, they produce a potent toxin and carcinogenic substance called aflatoxin. This toxin has a great impact on human health. The resistant varieties can be the most viable and economical approach to reduce this problem. This research consisted of two experiments, the first was conducted at the Department of Plant Pathology Laboratory, while the second pot experiment was conducted in the green house at the Department of Plant Pathology, C. P. College of Agriculture, Sardarkrushinagar Dantiwada Agricultural University, Sardarkrushinagar, Gujarat, India during Kharif, 2020. The objective of the experiment was to evaluation of groundnut varieties for resistance to seed infection by Aspergillus flavus. Ten varieties were tested i.e. GJG 9, GJG 32, JL 501, TG 37A, KAUSHAL, GJG 17, GG 20, GJG 22, GJG 31 and KDG 128. A CRD design was used for this experiment, with three replications. Out of ten varieties tested against Aspergillus flavus in vitro, none of the varieties were found resistant. The minimum seed infection (20.48%) was recorded in JL 501 and KAUSHAL, whereas the maximum (80.46%) in GJG 31, maximum seed germination was recorded in variety JL 501 (99.99%), whereas the minimum recorded in GJG 31(20.48%). The minimum mortality of germinated seeds (10.49%) was observed in the varieties GJG 9, GJG 32, JL 501, GG 20, GJG 22, and KDG 128, whereas the maximum in GJG 31 (30.48%). In the pot study, none of the varieties were found resistant or moderately resistant. The minimum seed infection (40.47%) was recorded with GJG 9, whereas the maximum (70.46%) in GJG 31. Maximum seed germination was recorded in GJG 9 (80.46%), whereas the minimum was recorded in GJG 31 (23.67%). The minimum seed mortality (10.49%) was observed in varieties GJG 9, TG 37A and KDG 128, whereas the maximum in GJG 31 (30.48%).