Fusarium populations in British soils relative to different cropping practices

Abstract

Population levels of Fusarium species in soils from 29 fields which had undergone different cropping practices from Cheshire, Staffordshire and Herefordshire were estimated using a selective agar medium. Ten species were detected. Fusarium culmorum and F. oxysporum were present in all soils examined and were the species usually recorded in highest numbers; their highest populations were detected in soils under permanent pasture or which had been in grass for at least 2 years after cereals ; mean numbers for these two species were similar, but lower, from soils under continuous cereal cultivation for short periods or under mixed cropping. F. dimerum, F. merismoides and F. tabacinum were also widely distributed in the soils sampled. Other species showed more spasmodic occurrence.