A survey for fungi associated with non sterilized grains of two grain sorghum
cultivars (Dorado and Giza 113) using standard blotter method indicated that Giza 113
grains had more inocula of associated pathogenic fungi than those of Dorado grains.
Three seed health testing methods (agar plate, blotter and freezing) were evaluated
for detecting the most prevailing pathogenic fungi associated with sterilized Giza 113
grains. Freezing method was the most sensitive for detection of F. moniliforme, F.
roseum and A. strictum which are considered the most important pathogens as they
cause wilt diseases.Special emphasis was given to the fungus Acremonium strictum,
the causal microorganism for the widespread Acremonium wilt disease in grain
sorghum. Eighteen isolates of A. strictum were collected from 7 governorates in
middle and upper Egypt and evaluated under greenhouse conditions for virulence on
two sorghum genotypes EGH-2 (resistant) and Giza 114 (susceptible). Isolate NO.9
was the most aggressive one. Reactions of twenty commercial and promising grain
sorghum cultivars were evaluated for resistance to the isolated A. strictum at Giza and
Sids Stations using soil infestation technique. Dorado was the highest resistant
cultivar and Giza 113 was the highly susceptible one.