Several different species of fungi
are associated with conifer seed.
Early studies linked declines in
germination in conifer seedlots to
high levels of seedborne mold fungi.
However, such occurrences are
sporadic and hard to predict. Cone
handling and storage practices after
harvest affect levels of seedborne
fungi significantly.
Seedborne fungi also contribute
to outbreaks of Fusarium and Sirococcus
diseases in container and
bareroot conifer nurseries. These
problems are covered elsewhere in
this book.