Seedborne Infection oiEleusine coracana by Bipolaris nodulosa and Pyricularia grisea in Uganda and Kenya. S. PANDE, Plant Pathologist, International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), Patancheru P.O., Andhra Pradesh 502 324, India. S. Z. MUKURU, Principal Cereals Breeder, ICRISAT Eastern Africa Regional Cereals and Legumes Program, P.O. Box 39063, Nairobi, Kenya; R. O. ODHIAMBO, Research Officer, Department of Plant Pathology, Kenya Agricultural Research Institute, National Research Centre, P.O. Box 57811, Muguga, Nairobi; and R. I. KARUNAKAR, Senior Research Associate, ICRISAT, Patancheru P.O., Andhra Pradesh 502 324, India. Plant Dis 78:60-63. Accepted for publication 19 July 1993. Copyright 1994 The American Phytopathological Society. DOI: 10.1094/PD-78-0060.

Seed samples of finger millet (Eleusine coracana) collected from Uganda and Kenya had mixed infections with Bipolaris nodulosa (4-49%) and Pyricularia grisea (7-55%). Most samples showed poor germination and were unfit for sowing because of a high percentage of Seedborne infection. We obtained similar seed infection counts with the standard blotter, deep-freezing blotter, and agar plate methods, which suggests that any of these methods could be used for routine seed health testing. However, sporulation was better on frozen seeds. Gray or black discolored seeds had higher levels of infection by P. grisea than apparently healthy, normal reddish brown seeds. Plating of seed components showed that both fungi were present in the pericarp and endosperm but not in the embryo. Seed transmission tests demonstrated the ability of these fungi to kill young seedlings.