Viability of Lolium endophyte fungus in seed stored at different moisture contents and temperatures

The effect of storage on viability of the Lolium endophyte fungus (Acremonium loliae Latch, Christensen and Samuels) in seed of perennial ryegrass was studied. Treatments included four initial seed moistures (13.8, 12.1, 10.0, and 8.6%); different storage bags (calico, polyethylene film (9, 35, or 70 μm thickness), and laminated aluminium foil-polyethylene); and four storage conditions (ambient 5-25°C, 5°C/70% RH; 0°C/30% RH; -15°C/90% RH). After 12 months of ambient temperature storage, seeds with final moisture contents > 11.3% had a rapid linear decline in endophyte viability from an initial 84% to < 15% at 13.0% seed moisture. Samples in 70 μm thick polyethylene and aluminium foil laminated packets had the highest endophyte viability (70-78%) at ambient temperatures. Seed stored at 5, 0, or -15°C had high endophyte viability with no effect of seed moisture. Seed germination was not affected by any treatments. Cool or low humidity environments ( < 60% RH) are required to maintain viability of Lolium endophyte fungus in stored seed.