XVI International Botanical Congess

Fungi associated with discoloured rice grains collected from Southern Districts of Tamilnadu, India, were examined in the laboratory. Type of grain discolouration could be separated into four groups. Type A to D. Frequency of both empty grains was highest with types C and D with 35% and 42% respectively. More number of Fungal species was detected from the glumes than from the kernels. Among the fungi detected Pyricularia oryzae, Fusarium moniliforme, Drechslera oryzae, Trichoniella padwickii and Alternaria alternata, were most frequent species, regardless of discolouration pattern. Other common fungal species known for discoloured rice grains such as Aspergillus niger, A.flavus, Phoma sp, Epicoccum sp, were also found depending on the type of discolouration.