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Deterioration of Stored Pea Seed by Aspergillus ruber: Evidence for Involvement of a Toxin. G. E. Harman, Assistant Professor of Seed Microbiology, Department of Seed Investigations, Cornell University, New York State Agricultural Experiment Station, Geneva 14456; Glenda Nash, Laboratory Technician, Department of Seed Investigations, Cornell University, New York State Agricultural Experiment Station, Geneva 14456. Phytopathology 62:209-212. Accepted for publication 1 September 1971. DOI: 10.1094/Phyto-62-209.

Invasion of pea seeds by Aspergillus ruber causes a rapid loss in seed viability, as measured by the ability of the seed to germinate normally. Infection of the intact seed precedes loss of viability and infection of the cotyledons or embryonic axes. However, death of the embryonic axes occurs before invasion of at least some of the axes. This suggests that a toxin is produced by A. ruber which kills the embryonic axes in advance of actual infection by the fungus.