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Influence of Fungi on Cotton Seed Deterioration Prior to Harvest. R. W. Roncadori, Associate Professor, Department of Plant Pathology and Plant Genetics, University of Georgia, Athens 30601; S. M. McCarter(2), and J. L. Crawford(3). (2)Assistant Professor of Plant Pathology, Department of Plant Pathology and Plant Genetics, University of Georgia, Athens 30601; and (3)Extension Plant Pathologist, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Service, Tifton 31794. Phytopathology 61:1326-1328. Accepted for publication 1 June 1971. DOI: 10.1094/Phyto-61-1326.

Seed collected from commercially harvested, fluffed locks previously exposed to moist periods were deteriorated and showed a high degree of fungal infection. The frequency of isolation of fungi from samples taken at 13 different locations averaged 60.5% from whole seed and 32.0% from embryos. Seed germination averaged 45.5%, and the mean free fatty acid content was 6.3%. Poor seed germination was significantly correlated with high levels of embryo infection by the total fungal population, Fusarium spp., and Diplodia gossypina. High free fatty acid content was significantly correlated with frequent isolation of the total fungal population and Fusarium spp., both from the whole seed and the embryo. After 5 months’ storage at 15 C and seed moisture content of 7-9%, the total fungal population and Fusarium spp. in the whole seed, but not in the embryo, were reduced significantly. Sufficient inoculum was still present to cause a seedling disease problem the following growing season.