Attempt at elucidation of the role of fatty acids in the resistance of Pinus silvestris L. seeds to infection by damping-off fungi in dependence on the colour of their seed shells

Abstract

The seed shells of the pine (Pinus silvestris L.) contain in dependence on their colour different amounts of the particular fatty acids. Some of the latter are toxic to the fungi causing damping-off of seedlings. The difference in content of toxic fatty acids between the black and the fallow seed shells may explain the mechanism of their different resistance to infection by damping-off fungi.