Abstract
Seeds of Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp. obtained from three seed-producing areas in Trinidad were tested for the presence of internally borne fungi. Phoma sorghina (Sacc.) Boerema, Dorenbosch & V. Kest., Fusarium semitectum Berk & Rav., F. avenaceum (Carda ex Fr.) Sacc., Aspergillus flavus Link ex Fries., A. niger van Tiegh. And Phomopsos sp. were the most commonly isolated fungi. Miscellaneous species, mainly of the genera Penicillium and Rhizopus, were also isolated. Fungal infection increases with time; pods are colonized first, followed by the seeds. It is possible to encounter high fungal infection of the ovary in the closed flower stage. There was a higher incidence of infection in ovaries than in two-week-old pods. However, increased infection was observed in four-week-old pods. External physical characteristics of the seed are not always indicative of the level of seedborne fungal contamination
