Abstract: 【Objective】The aim of this study is to identify the seed-associated fungi of sweet corn and discuss the correlation between seed-associated fungi and seed vigor. 【Method】Seed samples of seven sweet corn cultivars and two dent corn cultivars were collected and analyzed for seed-associated fungi by washing test and PDA test, meanwhile seed vigor of all cultivars were evaluated by rolled towel test.【Result】The result indicated that Fusarium spp., Penicillium spp., Aspergillus spp, Cladosporium sp. were main species of seed associated fungi on seed surface. The rates of seeds with fungi and seeds with Fuasrium of nine cultivars were significantly different. Sweet corn 442 had the highest rate of seeds with fungi, 99.3%, and Nongda108 had the lowest, 4.4%. The mainly isolated fungi inside seeds were Fusarium sp., Penicillium spp., Aspergillus spp, Alternaria spp., Bipolaris spp., Nigrospora sp. Except for Tiandan22, other six cultivars of sweet corn had significant higher rates of seeds with fungi and seeds with Fusarium than that of dent corn cultivars. 【Conclusion】 Based on the analysis of correlation between the rate of seeds with Fusarium and seed vigor, it was presumed that the seed-born Fusarium might have anegative effect on seed vigor.

Key words: Sweet corn, Seed-associated fungi, Fusarium, Seed vigor, Correlation analysis