Abstract
In naturally infested soil containingPythium ultimum, P. acanthicum andPhytophthora megasperma, onlyP. ultimum was associated with root rot and damped-off seedlings. Damping-off was promoted by low soil temperatures and by flooding. Seedling stands were markedly reduced when seed was pre-incubated in soil at 12°C but not at 25°C or 35°C. Dusting carrot seed with metalaxyl significantly increased seedling stands in the field at rates from 1.5–6 g kg−1 seed and in both flooded and unflooded, naturally infested soil at 3.15 g kg−1.
In greenhouse experiments using artifically infested soil,P. ultimum andP. paroecandrum caused damping-off of carrot seedlings andRhizoctonia solani reduced root and shoot weights.R. solani caused damping-off in nutrient-enriched soil.P. acanthicum andP. megasperma were not pathogenic to seedlings, although both fungi colonized roots. Soil populations of allPythium spp., particularlyP. ultimum, increased during growth of seedlings and population growth ofP. megasperma was promoted by periodic flooding. Infestation of soil withP. acanthicum did not reduce damping-off of carrot seedlings byP. ultimum orP. paroecandrum, but significantly increased root and shoot weights and decreased root colonization byR. solani P. acanthicum has potential as a biocontrol agent againstR. solani.
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Walker, G.E. Chemical, physical and biological control of carrot seedling diseases. Plant Soil 136, 31–39 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02465217
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02465217