000			02070nam a2200145Ia 4500
008			220104s9999 xx 000 0 und d
100			_aIgeleke C I
245		0	_aFungal species associated with the deterioration of rubber seeds and cake
520			_aFungi associated with the deterioration of the rubber seeds were isolated using three methods viz: blotting paper, serial dilution and planting on agar medium. Seeds from the following rubber clones were studied: Tijr 1 x 16, RRIM 600, RRIM 605 and PR 107. The blotting paper method resulted in the isolation of fourteen fungal species while the serial dilution and plating on agar methods yielded six and eight species respectively. The predominant species consistently isolated from the four rubber clones were Aspergillus fumigatus, A. flavus, A.nige, Penicillium sp., Colletotrichum sp., indicating lack of clonal variations in the fungal species associated with the different clones studies. The observed successional trend in the colonization of rubber seeds revealed Helminthosporium sp., Collectotrichum sp. and Fusarium sp. as the early colonizers, followed by the saprophytic moulds, mainly Aspergillus spp. and Penicillium sp. Using the serial dilution and plating on agr medium methods of isolation, the undefatted rubber seed cakes were Penicillium sp., Aspergillus flavus, and A. fumigatus. More colonies were observed form the plating on agar method than the serial dilution method. Aspergillus fumigatus, A.flavus, A.niger, and Penicillium sp. are known to have toxin-producing strains, making their prescence in seed cake meant for livestock feeding trials dangerous. In addition, A. flavus and A. niger are lipolytic, and therefore, have the ability to reduce the oil contents of seeds in which they are present. Fugicidal seed treatments and drying of seeds before storage are suggested methods of controlling the deterioration of rubber seeds andcake during storage,
650			_aDeterioration
650			_aRubber seed cake
650			_aRubber seeds
700			_aEkpebor S M C
942			_cBE
999			_c47417 _d47417