Mycobiota of wheat seeds with signs of “black point” under conditions of Forest-Steppe and Forest zones of Ukraine.

Composition of phytopathogens – causal agents of “black point” was studied in 2018-2019. Investigations were carried out at Institute of Plant Protection of National Academy of Agrarian Sciences of Ukraine. Seed samples were taken from different locations in Forest-Steppe and Forest zones of Ukraine.

The results obtained showed that fungi from genus Alternaria Nees dominated in the pathogen complex. They were isolated from 76.5-83.1% of seeds from Forest-Steppe of Ukraine. Less often they were found in samples from Forest zone (59.0-69.4%). Alternaria tenuissima та Alternaria infectoria were isolated in the almost equal proportion.

Also seeds with “black point” were colonized by fungi from genera Fusarium Link, Curvularia Boed, Bipolaris Shoem., Aspergillus P.Micheli, Nigrospora Zimm., Cladosporium Link, Аcremoniella Sacc., Stemphillium Walr., Sordaria Ces. & De Not, Epicoccum Link, Aureobasidium Viala at Boy. It should be noted that causal agent of nigrospora dry rot of maize Nigrospora oryzae (Berk & Broom) Petch was isolated from nearly 6% of seeds from Forest zone. Also saprophitic fungi Stemphillium spp. and Sordaria spp. were found.

The majority of isolated fungi produce mycotoxins which are harmful for people and animals. Thus, monitoring of species composition of pathogens on wheat seeds, in particular causal agents of “black point”, is essential for obtaining a high quality wheat grain.