Summary
A quantitative study was made to determine the effect of various crop seeds on the population ofPythium ultimum in naturally infested soil. Seeds of corn, peas, watermelon, wheat, barley, beet, and cabbage caused an increase inPythium population within 48 hours of planting. The extent of population rise varied with plant species sown, distance of soil from seed, and duration of stay of seeds in the soil. This rise in the population ofPythium in the soil has been attributed to non-specific stimulation provided by amino acids and sucrose in the seed exudates.
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The author wishes to express his grateful thanks to the United States Agency for International Development for giving him a traineeship during 1960 and to Dr. J. E.Mitchell of the Department of Plant Pathology, University of Wisconsin, U.S.A. for providing facilities, encouragement, and guidance.
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Singh, R.S. Development of pythium ultimum in soil in relation to presence and germination of seeds of different crops. Mycopathologia et Mycologia Applicata 27, 155–160 (1965). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02132448
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02132448