Fungal contaminants of the oil palm tissue culture in Nigerian institute for oil palm research (NIFOR)

Twenty-five species of fungi belonging to 14 genera were identified as fungal contaminants of the oil palm tissue culture materials ( explant, callus/embroid and plantlets). Of these genera Penicillium sp. occurred most frequently (40.8%), followed by Curvularia sp. (14.5%) Cladosporium sp. (13.4%), Aspergillus sp. (10.1%), Acremonium, Fusarium and Alternaria spp. (4.5%) respectively. Rhizopus (3.4%), Trichoderma, Pestalotia and Helminthosporium spp. (1.1%) respectively. Paecilomyces, Dreschlera and Pythium spp. were the least frequents (0.6%) respectively. These fungal species were found to cause death of the culture material. Some probable sources of contaminations such as handling of plant materials, culture vessels and the laboratory were discussed.