Abstract
A field study was conducted to investigate biocontrol and interaction effects of important members (Folsomia candida, Collembola, and Aphelenchoides saprophilus, Nematoda) of the soil food web on the plant pathogenic fungus Fusarium culmorum in wheat straw. The soil fauna was introduced in minicontainers in different numbers and combinations and exposed to either Fusarium-infected or non-infected wheat straw. Minicontainers were established in the topsoil of a winter wheat field after harvest. After 2 and 4 weeks, biomass of F. culmorum was detected in samples of soil and wheat straw using double antibody sandwich (DAS) ELISA method. Furthermore, individual density of collembolans and nematodes was determined. The content of Fusarium biomass was reduced significantly throughout all treatments after 2 weeks. After 4 weeks of minicontainer exposure, Fusarium biomass decreased significantly in treatments containing collembolans and nematodes in single culture compared to the control. The results demonstrate the potential of collembolans and nematodes as biological regulators. Furthermore, the introduced soil fauna contributes to a sustainable control of fungal plant pathogens in wheat straw, thus reducing the risk of plant diseases as an important ecosystem service for soil health.
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