Long shelf life ofTalaromyces flavus in coating material of pelleted seed

Spores of the biocontrol agentTalaromyces flavus were recovered from coating material of chinese aster and tomato seeds in which they were incorporated 17 years before. The seeds had been stored at room temperature. About 20% of the ascospores had retained their heat resistance and survived treatment in aqueous suspension at 60°C for 30 min. None of the chinese aster seeds and 90% of the tomato seeds germinated after the storage period. Presence ofT. flavus during storage had not affected germinability of the seeds.