Influence of soil water on the growth of Gaeumannomyces graminis var. Tritici in soil: Use of a mathematical model

• Published in: Soil biology & biochemistry Vol. 21; no. 5; pp. 729 - 732
• Main Authors: Heritage, A.D., Rovira, A.D., Bowen, G.D., Correll, R.L.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 1989; New York, NY Elsevier Science
• Subjects: Agronomy. Soil science and plant productions; biochemistry; Biological and medical sciences; Biometrics, statistics, experimental designs, modeling, agricultural computer applications; bulk density; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Fungal plant pathogens; Gaeumannomyces graminis var. graminis; Generalities. Biometrics, experimentation. Remote sensing; groundwater; growth; infection; mathematical models; Pathology, epidemiology, host-fungus relationships. Damages, economic importance; Phytopathology. Animal pests. Plant and forest protection; plant pathogens; soil fungi; soil moisture; soil science; soil water; South Australia; stele; take-all; Triticum aestivum; wounds and injuries; South Australia; Monocotyledones; Mycosis; Growth; Submersion; Phytopathogen; Cereal crop; Oceania; South Australia; Fungi; Theoretical model; Gramineae; Angiospermae; Ascomycetes; Mathematical model; Thallophyta; Gaeumannomyces graminis var. tritici; Bulk density; Soilborne transmission; Soil moisture; Host agent relation; Infection; Edaphic factor; Spermatophyta; Australia; Triticum aestivum
• ISSN: 0038-0717; 1879-3428
• DOI: 10.1016/0038-0717(89)90071-0

Use is described of a theoretical model to predict the extent of growth of the soil-borne wheat root pathogen Gaeumannomyces graminis var. tritici over a range of soil water contents. Degree of soil pore saturation (or percentage water-filled pores, % WFP) is presented as a measure of soil water content which best reflects the activities of soil micro-organisms under varying amounts of soil water or bulk density. The extent of Ggt growth towards wheat roots was not affected in the range 40–70% WFP. At the highest soil water content tested, viz. 80% WFP, a reduction in growth was predicted by the model which was based on actual numbers of roots remaining uninfected. Implications for root infection of wheat growing in soils which are subject to temporary waterlogged conditions are presented. This modelling approach is proposed as a means of examining the influence of soil conditions on microbial-root interactions.