Skip to main content
ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #80647

Title: RHIZOSPHERE ACTIVITY OF THE NEMATODE-ANTAGONISTIC FUNGUS VERTICILLIUM LECANII

Author
item Meyer, Susan
item Roberts, Daniel
item Wergin, William

Submitted to: Society of Nematology Meeting
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/19/1997
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Strains of the fungus Verticillium lecanii have been shown to reduce hatching rates of soybean cyst nematode (SCN) eggs and to decrease SCN population densities in greenhouse pots. To determine affinity of the fungus for soybean roots, plugs of mycelium or aqueous spore suspensions of V. lecanii were placed on excised soybean roots in Petri dish cultures. The fungus grew in close association with roots in many cultures, with mycelium extending up to 67% of the root length. Scanning electron microscopy indicated that V. lecanii also penetrated root cells. In greenhouse and growth chamber studies, soybean seeds were planted in soil contained in plastic cylinders (20 cm high); the cylinders were constructed of rings (each 2 cm in height). The fungus was applied in alginate prills near the seeds. At harvest, soil and root sections from the rings were sampled for V. lecanii. Movement of V. lecanii in the rhizosphere varied with the growth conditions of the plants, ranging from little movement to 16 cm depth