Susceptibility of plants to fungal pathogens when grown by the nutrient–film technique (NFT)

Abstract

SUMMARYPlants grown by the nutrient‐film technique (NFT) in a glasshouse became infected when fungal pathogens were introduced into the nutrient solution. Isolates of Pythium ultimum infected cucumber. Phytophthora cryptogea, Didymella lycopersici, Verticillium dahliae and Fusarium oxyspomm f. sp. lycopersici infected tomato, but Phytophthora nicotianae var. parasitica did not. Carnations were systemically infected by Fusarium oxyspomm f. sp. dianthi, but Phytophthora cryptogea was recovered only from the roots and caused no aerial symptoms.