Pathology of Ocimum basilicum seeds

Abstract

The basil, Ocimum basilicum, is a shrubby plant used for medicinal and culinary purposes because of its antibiotic properties and aroma. The basil consumption has increased due to demand for healthier foods and interest in Mediterranean cuisine, in order to increase the demand and consequently the production. With its intensive cultivation, has increased the incidence and severity of disease in culture, in particular fungal diseases. One of this disease is anthracnose, caused by the pathogen Colletotrichum gloeosporioides L., that affects the aerial part of the plant and has caused major economic damage to the crop. Aiming to assess the importance of seeds as a source of inoculum of anthracnose in the culture of basil were made test of seed pathology in four varieties of basil, through the evaluation of pathogens growth in a hundred seeds distributed in wetted filter paper, after frozen. The results indicated the absence of fungal or bacterial contamination in seeds.