Summary
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1.
The number of genera of fungi developing from colonised root pieces depends on the concentration of the surface-sterilising agent used and the duration of the treatment given.
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2.
For the development of the maximum number of genera of fungi, treatments of 2 minutes immersion each in 0·04%para-nitrophenol and 0·1% HgCl2 (Fred and Waksman’s formula) and 10 minutes immersion in a 1 in 14 aqueous suspension of CaOCl2 have proved superior to several other chemicals known to be weakly bacteriostatic or bactericidal.
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3.
Fusarium spp. andMacrophomina phaseoli (Rhizoctonia bataticola) are the primary and dominant colonisers on autoclaved and freshly excised surface-sterilised root pieces buried in Udamalpet soil.
I am indebted to Prof. T. S. Sadasivan for guidance and to the authorities of the Women’s Christian College, Madras, for the subbatical leave during which this investigation was undertaken at this University.
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Communicated by Prof. T. S. Sadasivan,f.a.sc.
Formed part of a thesis approved for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy of the University of Madras.
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Zachariah, A.T. Soil conditions and root diseases. Proc. Indian Acad. Sci. 38, 235–241 (1953). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03050621
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03050621