Wheat (Triticumaestivum) is being attacked by several fungal pathogens; many of them are seed-borne. These fungi were detected by the methods as recommended by the ISTA, with some modifications. Fungi such as Alternariaalternata, A. clamydophor, Aspergillusniger, A. flavus, Rhizopusoryzae, Rhizopusspp., Mucor spp., Fusariumspp., Drechsleraaustraliensis, Penicilliumspp., Curvularialunataand Cladosporium, were isolated from the wheat variety WH896. Effect of various fungicides viz. carbendazim, mancozeb and biocontrol agent on the incidence of seed-borne fungi and their effect on seed germination were evaluated. The seed treatment by the fungicides showed that mancozeb increased the germination percentage and reduced seed mycoflora. It is the need of the hour to search some non-chemical and ecologically sound methods for crop protection. Keeping this in mind fungicidal properties of plant products were tested. Efficacy of biocontrol agent Calotropisprocera latex was found good in controlling the seed-borne fungi and the latex was proved to be a good inhibitor of fungi associated with wheat seeds. Thus the seeds should be treated invariably by less phytotoxic fungicides like mancozeb and biocontrol agent like Calotropis latex to eliminate the seed-borne mycoflora of wheat.
