Quality and nutrition of oat seed as influenced by seed-borne fungal pathogens during storage.

Seed-borne fungal pathogens may reduce seed germination rates, but their effects on seed quality and nutrition may vary. The current study was conducted to evaluate the effects of these pathogens on the nutrition and quality of Avena sativa (B7) and A. nuda (B2) seeds. A total of 10 fungal genera (Alternaria, Aspergillus, Bipolaris, Cladosporium, Pyrenophora, Epicoccum, Fusarium, Hypomyces, Nigrospora and Pleosporaely) isolated from B2 and B7 seeds were inoculated in oat seeds and stored for 360 d. The results showed that the content of moisture, protein, ether extract, total starch, β-glucan, phytic acid, total phosphorus and Ca of B2 and B7 seeds were significantly decreased by seed-borne pathogenic fungi (including Bipolaris, Cladosporium and Fusarium spp.) during the storage period (P < 0.05). Moreover, B2 seeds showed higher moisture content, bulk density, protein, total starch, β-glucan, total phosphorus and Ca than B7 under control (CK) and other fungal treatments. However, the thousand-grain weight, ash, fiber and phytic acid of B2 seeds were lower than B7 seeds. Seed-borne fungal pathogens may reduce the quality and nutrition of oat seeds, and as a result, seed vigor, storability and storage longevity could be negatively affected by seed-borne fungal pathogens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]