All data collected were analyzed based on the split plot arrangement in a CRD analysis of variance (ANOVA)
model using GenStat statistical software. The data for disease incidence and severity of seed-borne fungal
pathogens including P. grisea and the level of seed infection per sample and percentage germination test (abnormal
seedlings, dead seeds and hard seeds) were subjected to square root transformation to normalize the data
before analysis. A constant value (0.5) was added to each observation before taking square root. Means
were separated by Duncan’s multiple range test (DMRT) at P = 0.05.