Mycoflora and pathogenicity of fungi present on stored seeds from provenances of Eucalyptus pellita

Fungi associated with stored seeds of Eucalyptus pellita were examined and differences in seed germination, seedling mortality and fungal infection for different provenances were determined. A total of 40 fungal species representing 17 genera of Deuteromycotina, four of Ascomycotina and three of Zygomycotina was identified. Of the 40, 26 were seedborne fungi. Several leaf pathogens were found. There were no significant differences in the level of fungal infestation between provenances, but significant differences in seed germination, seedling mortality and fungal infection occurred when seed lots were inoculated with fungi. Seed lot 17854 from Indonesia and 18197 from Papua New Guinea were less affected with regard to seed germination and seedling mortality than the Australian seed lots 18749 and 18775. The inoculation test showed that Aspergillus niger, Harknessia fumaginea and Pestalotiopsis disseminata were able to reduce germination and cause seedling mortality of some seed lots of E. pellita. Drechslera australiensis caused maximum mean seedling mortality (23.65%) but had no effect on seed germination for any seed lot and Syncephalastrum racemosum affected neither seed germination nor seedling mortality.