Influence of Seed Origin and Host Species on Mould Incidence and Fungal Community Structure in Pine Seeds

ABSTRACT

Seed‐associated fungal communities may influence forest regeneration by affecting seed viability and early seedling performance. This study investigated whether host species identity and seed origin are associated with variation in fungal community composition and taxon‐specific occurrence in pine seeds. We hypothesized that fungal community composition varies among host species, individual fungal genera exhibit host‐associated occurrence patterns, and seed origin influences the occurrence of specific taxa. A total of 420 seeds from four pine species, representing 21 certified seed stands, were examined using culture‐based isolation, MALDI‐TOF identification and ecological analyses. Fungal communities were dominated by Trichoderma spp., followed by Rhizopus arrhizus. Differences in the occurrence of several fungal genera were detected among pine species, while seed origin was associated with variation in selected taxa. Principal Coordinates Analysis illustrated variation in fungal genus composition among seed stands. These findings highlight the importance of examining fungal taxonomic composition rather than relying solely on overall fungal incidence when assessing seed‐associated fungal communities. The results provide insights relevant to seed health monitoring and forest reproductive material management.