EFFECTS OF INFESTATION BY SYSTOLE CORIANDRI (GUSSAKOVSKY) (HYMENOPTERA: EURYTOMIDAE) ON GERMINATION AND OIL CONTENT OF CORIANDER SEEDS

Abstract

Evaluations of infestation by Systole coriandri and tests of germination and oil contení of fruits
of coriander apparently undam aged or with 1-2 mericarps (seeds) damaged, of sam ples obtained in
central Chile, demonstrated variable infestation and germ ination levels among locations. Dissecting
seeds revealed 3.8-14.0% infestation levels in apparently undamaged fruits, with linear correlation
coefficients (r) of -93.4 betw een infestation and germ ination; fruits with one dam aged mericarp
presented an r coefficient of -94.0 between these param eters.
Fruits with both mericarps dam aged did not present germ ination, dem onstrating that S. coriandri
larvae, dam age the embryo. A lso, damage to 1 or 2 m ericarps reduced oil content by 16.7 and 42.0%,
respectively, from the levels in fruits apparently undamaged.