Several groups of soil microorganisms cause diseases to the roots. These “soilborne” plant pathogens are particularly challenging since they often survive in soil for many years and each crop may be susceptible to several species. They belong to various systematic groups. Major groups are oomycetes, fungi, bacteria, protists, and nematodes. Few soilborne viruses affect vegetable crops. The impa...

Stand problems consistently cause significant production losses and management problems in Arkansas rice fields. Previous research, funded by the Rice Research and Promotion Board, identified the role of environmental factors and soilborne plant pathogens in limiting rice stand establishment, and had the goal of determining the conditions where soilborne pathogens, especially Pythium species, p...

Abstract Pathogenic fungi are a leading cause of crop disease and primarily spread through microscopic, durable spores adapted differentially for both persistence dispersal via soil, animals, water, and/or the atmosphere. Computational Earth system models air pollution have been used to simulate atmospheric spore transport aerial-dispersal-adapted (airborne) rust diseases, but importance soil-d...

Evaluation of Rhizoctonia zeae as a potential biological control option for fungal root diseases of sugar beet" (2015). Abstract Several common root diseases routinely damage sugar beet in Nebraska and other production areas of the Central High Plains, and it is becoming more common to find fields infested simultaneously with multiple pathogens. Owing to the shortage of available fungicides for...

Biochar, in addition to sequestering carbon, ameliorating soil, and improving plant performance, can impact foliar and soilborne plant diseases. Nevertheless, the mechanisms associated with suppression of soilborne diseases and improved plant performances are not well understood. This study is designed to establish the relationships between biochar-induced changes in rhizosphere microbial commu...

In the Mediterranean area, tomato soilborne pathogens used to be controlled by methyl bromide, particularly in protected cultivation. To decrease the use of this fumigant, non-chemical and chemical alternatives were developed and implemented in many Mediterranean countries. However, the success of the alternative depends on the degree of its integration in an integrated pest management programme.

A gram-positive bacterium with antagonistic activity towards soilborne fungal pathogens has been isolated from the mycorrhizosphere of Sorghum bicolor inoculated with Glomus mosseae. It has been identified as Paenibacillus sp. strain B2 based on its analytical profile index and on 16S ribosomal DNA analysis. Besides having antagonistic activity, this bacterium stimulates mycorrhization.