Testing of Seed-borne Fungi of Major Watermelon Varieties in China and Disinfection Effect of Several Fungicides on Seed-borne Fungi

The disinfection effect of several fungicides on seed-borne fungi of watermelon seeds were determined by means of petri-dish testing. The results showed that Penicllium spp., Rhizopus spp. Aspergillus spp., Alternaria spp. and Fusarium spp. were the main seed-borne fungi on the surface of 14 major watermelon varieties from Xinjiang, Anhui, Beijing and Fujian provinces in China; Penicllium spp., Rhizopus spp., Aspergillus spp. represented the main internally seed-borne fungi. The fungi on the surface of seed were significantly different from each other, but the seed-borne fungi inside the seed showed no difference. 15% HMT SCF(hymexazol∶metalaxyl∶thiram＝3∶2∶10), thiram and mancozeb provided a good control on seed-borne fungi. Their inhibiting effect was much better than that of other tested fungicides.