Histopathological changes in microbially infected forest tree seeds

摘要

Histopathological study of microbially infected forest tree seeds was conducted to determine the effect of different fungi on the cellular structures of artificially and naturally infected seeds. The mode of infection of Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, Fusarium moniliforme, and Phoma sp. on artificially inoculated seeds of Pterocarpus indicus Willd (nana), Lasiodiplodia theobromae (Ldt), F. moniliforme, and F. solani on Swietenia macrophylla King (mahogany); and F. solani on Samanea saman (Jacq.) Merr. (raintree) was described. Ramification of the hyphal structures from the seed coat to the subepidermal layer and some parts of the cotyledon of nana and endosperm of mahogany was observed. Hyphal growth of F. solani was concentrated mainly on seed coat and less penetration was observed beyond the epidermal layer of raintree seeds.