Abstract

Microflora associated with the stored seeds of Tectona grandis was studied by blotter and 'growing-on' methods employing extracted seeds. Teak seeds harboured a rich microflora comprising of 25 fungal genera, two bacterial species and three unidentified genera belonging to Hyphomycetes and Ascomycetes. In addition to bacteria, the most frequent genera were Aspergillus, Penicilium, Fusarium, Cephalosporium, Alternaria, Curvularia, and Cercospora. The seed germination was poor in blotter and 'growing-on' tests, i.e., 25. 34 and 33. 21 respectively. The seed microflora appeared to affect the seed germination and also caused infection of emerged seedlings. Of the germinated seedlings, 15. 34 in blotter test and 22. 50 in 'growing on' test remained healthy and 10 succumbed to infection. The paper highlights the possible role of microflora on seed germination and seedling growth