Abstract

India, despite being the largest producer of spices, there is great potential for increasing export of Indian spices. To realize this potential there must be improvement and enhancement of productivity and quality. As per international standards, India does not export more than 10% of its production due to the followings: lack of a number of improved seed varieties that suit different agro-climatic situations and proper adoption of package practices, lack of control measures for diseases, pests and post harvest pathogens. Pathogens adversely affect production and quality of spices. The seed-borne pathogens are one of the major causes of serious diseases in growing crops because of poor health and quality of seeds. To realize this aspect, the study has been undertaken and it is observed that among the tested spices, Alternaria alternata, Aspergillus flavus,Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus ustus, Cladosporium cladosporidies, Curvularia lunata, Fusarium oxysporum, Fusarium roseum, Helminthosporium tetramera,Trichoderma viride show maximum incidence on Agar plate and A. alternata, A. flavus, A. niger, A. ustus and H. tetramera have maximum incidence on Blotter plate. 

Key words: Spices, incidence, fungi.