Testing of Seed Borne Fungi of Panax notoginseng and Identification of Seed Pathogens

Purpose the aim of this study is to determine the quantity and genus of fungi on the surface and inside of Panax notoginseng seeds, and identify the seed-associated pathogens.Method 15 seed samples were collected from Honghe and Wenshan City, and the fungi on the surface and inside of the seeds were isolated using PDA plate test and identified using morphology and molecular methods, meanwhile pathogenicity of isolates to the leaf, stem and root of P.notoginseng was evaluated.Result The results indicated that Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, Fusarium spp., Botrytis spp. and Pestalotiopsis spp. were main fungi on the seed surface. Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, Fusarium spp. and Pestalotiopsis spp. were the main fungi inside seeds. Pathogenicity test showed that isolates of Fusarium spp.,Alternaria spp. and Bionectria spp. could infect leaf, stem and root of P. notoginseng, Gibberella intermedia, Fusarium tricinctum, F. moniliformis, and F. equiseti were the main seed-borne pathogens.Conclusion These results elucidated the main seed-borne pathogens of P.notoginseng are Fusarium spp. and Alternaria spp, this may provide theoretical basis for P. notoginseng seed treatment.