Publication Date

1997

Description

A simple pot test was used to indicate the combined effects of several pathogens common in pasture soils (plant parasitic nematodes and pathogenic fungi e.g. Pythium spp.) by comparing the dry weight yields of clover seedlings grown in untreated soil with those from soil treated in a microwave oven. Response to microwave treatment, expressed as a "Soil Pathogenicity Index", was greater with soil from old pasture or from areas in 2 year old pasture plots showing poor regrowth after grazing of white clover (Trifolium repens L) or Caucasian clover (T. ambiguum Bieb.), than from soil from new pasture or areas in the 2 year old plots with vigorous clover regrowth.

Share

COinS
 

Indicators of Pathogen Potential of Pasture Soils

A simple pot test was used to indicate the combined effects of several pathogens common in pasture soils (plant parasitic nematodes and pathogenic fungi e.g. Pythium spp.) by comparing the dry weight yields of clover seedlings grown in untreated soil with those from soil treated in a microwave oven. Response to microwave treatment, expressed as a "Soil Pathogenicity Index", was greater with soil from old pasture or from areas in 2 year old pasture plots showing poor regrowth after grazing of white clover (Trifolium repens L) or Caucasian clover (T. ambiguum Bieb.), than from soil from new pasture or areas in the 2 year old plots with vigorous clover regrowth.