Effect of Some Pathogenic Microorganisms on Germination and Seedling Growth of Hibiscus Sabdariffa

Abstract

A study was carried out to find out the effect of pathogenic bacteria and fungi on seed germination and seedling growth of Hibiscus sabdariffa. The fungi utilized are Aspergillus flavus Link Ex fr, Aspergillus niger Van Tieghem, Fusarium oxysporum Schlecht, Penicillium chrysogenum Thom and Penicillium roqueforti Thom and the bacteria are Arthrobacter sp, Erwinia sp, Lactobacillus sp and Corynobacteria sp. Effects of the individual micro-organisms on seed germination and seedling growth showed diverse degree of inhibition on the growth parameters. Erwinia sp. had the least reduction in germination (20%) when compared with the control plant which showed 100% yield. Lactobacillus sp. and Corynebacterium sp. had the next reduction (20.4%), Arthrobacter sp. (25%), F. oxysporum (20.8%), A. flavus (30.0%) P. chrysogenum and A. niger (30.2%) P.roqueforti (40%). The study showed that the fungus Fusarium oxysporum and the bacteria Erwinia sp. negatively affected seed germination and seedling growth of H. sabdariffa. They were the most pathogenic among the tested microorganisms.