Vol. 114 (2001): Proceedings of the Florida State Horticultural Society
Ornamental

Seed pathology of native scrub grasses

Carol Cloud Bailey
University of Florida
front cover of vol 114, 2001

Published 2001-12-01

Abstract

In the Florida Panhandle, the native scrub grasses that are the most important in autotrophic succession are: Wiregrass {Aristida stricta Michx), Little Bluestem [Schizachyrium scoparium (Michx) Nash], Lopsided Indian Grass [Sorghastrum secundum (Ell.) Nash] and Pinewood Dropseed [Sporobolus junceus (Michx) Kunth]. A potential problem in propagation of these plants are pathogens associated with the seeds. The objective of this study was to determine which fungi, if any, are associated with the seeds of these grasses. Surface disinfested seeds of the four grasses were allowed to germinate and the fungi colonizing the seeds were identified. All of the fungi found, Curvularia eragrostis (P. Henn) J. A. Meyer; Curvularia geniculata (Tracey & Earle) Boedijn; Curvularia lunata (Wakker) Boedijn; Nigrospora sphaerica (Sacc) Mason; and Chaetophoma sp. are new reports for these grass hosts.