Control of Pathogenic Mycorrhizal Fungi in Maintenance of Soil Productivity by Crop Rotation

Abstract

Pathogenic mycorrhizal fungi may be a major reason crops must be rotated to maintain soil productivity. We studied the role such fungi may have in the maintenance of productivity of soil for tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) by rotation with tall fescue (Festuca arundinaceae Schreb). Tall fescue Kentucky 31' and continuous tobacco plots were established on a central Kentucky field previously shown to be infested with the mycoorhizal fungus Glomus macrocarpum Tul and Tul., the cause of a stunt disease of tobacco. Fumigation with 67% methyl bromide-33% chloropicrin (MBC, trichloronitromethane) covered with plastic was used as a control (...)