Destruction of Fraxinus angustifolia and Fraxinus ornus seeds under storage conditions caused by Epicoccum nigrum

During the period of seed storage in 2019, stored Fraxinus angustifolia and F. ornus seeds showed signs of infection and fungus Epicoccum nigrum was isolated from mould and necrotic lesions on the seeds. In order to confirm the pathogenicity of E. nigrum towards F. angustifolia and F. ornus seeds, an experiment that included inoculation of seeds with E. nigrum and the assessment of germinability was performed. The inoculation with E. nigrum strain caused mould to around 20% of F. angustifolia and 58% of F. ornus, necrotic lesions to 96% of F. angustifolia and 92% of F. ornus, and decrease in germinability to 95% of F. angustifolia and 97% of F. ornus seeds. This study presented, for the first time, the ability of E. nigrum to cause high infection rates and reduced germinability of the F. angustifolia and F. ornus stored seeds. The transmission routes and possibilities for preventive strategies were discussed.