Effect of soil matric potential on sharp eyespot in germinating wheat following seed treatment

Abstract

AbstractThe influence of soil matric potential on sharp eyespot was examined in wheat seedlings following seed treatment with the fungicide cyproconazole. Emergence of wheat was tested at matric potentials between 0 and –850 hPa in non‐infested soil and in soil infested with Rhizoctonia cerealis. Optimal shoot emergence was at –50 and –20 hPa in non‐infested and infested soil, respectively. Disease severity was strongly affected by soil matric potential. It continuously increased as matric potential decreased from –5 to –200 hPa. In contrast, optimum growth conditions for the pathogen was at matric potentials between –50 and –200 hPa. With decreasing matric potential the drought stress for the plant seems to increase its predisposition to the pathogen. Seed treatment with cyproconazole reduced sharp eyespot although disease severity increased with decreasing soil matric potential.