Topic > Cultural control of the pathogen Fusarium spp. - 1663

The genus Fusarium includes over 20 species affecting a wide range of crops from fruits, vegetables, herbs, tubers and cereals (DoctorFungus Corporation) (Gullino, et al., 1998) (Lõiveke, 2006 ). Fusarium spp. they belong to the phylum Ascomycota; they have septate hyphae, conidiospores, myrcoconidia, macroconidia and can be found throughout the world (DoctorFungus Corporation) (Glenn, et al., 2004). Several species are responsible for the production of mycotoxins in many cereals which can have adverse effects on humans and other animals (Teich & Hamilton, 1985) (Lõiveke). Some Fusarium species can also act as beneficial mycorrhizal fungi, while several strains of that species can be pathogenic as with Fusarium oxysporum on maize, wheat and solanaceous crops (Lõiveke) (Fracchia, et al., 2000) (Tamietti & Valentino, 2006 ) (Champeil, et al., 2004). As a pathogen, Fusarium spp. it can cause a variety of diseases depending on the host plant it infects. In cereal grains, numerous species can cause head blight, root rot, Fusarium foot rot or seedling blight; in potatoes it can cause dry rot and in solanaceous or other fruit crops various wilt diseases (Lõiveke) (Champeil, et al.) (Katan, 2000). Due to the wide variety of host crops, management of Fusarium spp. can be difficult, this article will focus on some cultural controls that have been studied, some have proven to be very effective while others are still being discussed and being studied. Crop rotation is perhaps the most effective form of management of cereal diseases caused by Fusarium spp. pathogens. Numerous studies have shown that, especially in wheat, previous cropping can make a big difference in disease cases. As for Fusarium blight, studies have shown that wheat follows corn in rotation... middle of paper...mistry, volume 40, p. 834–844. Smith, M., Smith, J. & Stirling, G., 2011. Integrating minimum tillage, crop rotation and organic amendments into a ginger cropping system: impacts on yield and soil-borne diseases. Soil & Tillage Research, Volume 114, pp. 108-116. Tamietti, G. & Valentino, D., 2006. Soil solarization as an ecological method for controlling Fusarium wilt of melon in Italy. Crop Protection, Volume 25, p. 389–397. Teich, A.H. & Hamilton, J.R., 1985. Effect of cultural practices, soil phosphorus, potassium and pH on the incidence of Fusarium blight and deoxynivalenol levels in wheat. APPLIED AND ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY, 49(6), pp. 1429-1431. Teich, A. & Nelson, K., 1984. Investigation of fusarium blight and possible effects of cultural practices in wheat fields in Lambton County in 1983. Canadian Plant Disease Survey, 64(1), pp. 11-13.