Pathogenicity of Cylindrocladium scoparium to pasture clover and grass species

Abstract

Cylindrocladium scoparium was isolated from roots of pasture plant species in the Waikato, North Island, New Zealand. The extent of infection, root colonisation and pathogenicity of this fungus was assessed in a series of laboratory and pot experiments. Seedlings of four legume species and eight grass species grown on water agar plates were infected within 5 days of inoculation with C. scoparium. Emergence of the four legume and three grass species in inoculated sterile sand was significantly reduced following inoculation with C. scoparium. Inoculation of pasture plants grown in fumigated and non-fumigated soil significantly reduced shoot and root dry matter production of several legume and grass species. Root rot was most severe on legumes. These results demonstrate that C, scoparium is a soilborne pathogen of pasture plants and may decrease the yield and persistence of many species.