Shawqi EL-Ariqi ^(1)* and Rihann Al-Fa’aq⁽¹⁾

(1). Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Food, and Environment, Sana’a University, Sana’a, Yemen.

(*Corresponding author: Shawqi EL-Ariqi, E.mail dr.ariqi@yahoo.com)               

Received: 20/12/ 2021            Accepted: 8/03/ 2022

Abstract: 

This study aimed to detect the types of fungi contaminated for Za’aqa seeds (watermelon, sunflower and pumpkin seeds). The seeds were associated with 20 species of fungi belonging to 12 genera. However, the most dominant fungi were the species of Aspergillus and Penicillium, especially Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus niger species were the most frequent. Also, Fusarium, Mucor and Rhizopus were recovered in high or medium incidences on PDA medium. In conclusion, the seeds of watermelon, sunflower and pumpkin consumed at entertainment in Yemen Republic are highly, contaminated with toxigenic fungi, especially Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus niger species, which were found in this study.

Keywords:  Yemen, Za’aqa, Aspergillus, Penicillium and Fusarium

Full paper in Arabic: pdf