Abstract
Most studies with soil-borne pathogenic fungi have been done with little explicit characterisation of soil structure within which fungi spread and biotic interactions occur. Soil, however, constitutes a framework of surfaces formed by old root channels, cracks or biopores in combination with aggregates. Using epidemiological and soil biological techniques in controlled environments we investigated the effect of soil heterogeneity on fungal growth dynamics. We show that cracks and larger pores can act either as preferential pathways or barriers for the spread of fungal plant pathogens through soil. Understanding the effect of soil structure on pathogen and antagonist dynamics is therefore critical for our understanding of epidemics and the development of control strategies in a heterogeneous environment.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | Proceedings of the meeting Influence of A-Biotic and Biotic Factors on Biocontrol Agents at Pine Bay, Kusadasi, Turkey, 22-25 May 2002 |
| Editors | Yigal Elad, Jürgen Köhl, Dani Shtienberg |
| Publisher | IOBC-WPRS |
| Pages | 283-286 |
| Number of pages | 3 |
| ISBN (Print) | 9290671471 |
| Publication status | Published - 2002 |
| Event | Influence of A-Biotic and Biotic Factors on Biocontrol Agents - Pine Bay, Kusadasi, Turkey Duration: 22 May 2002 → 25 May 2002 |
Other
| Other | Influence of A-Biotic and Biotic Factors on Biocontrol Agents |
|---|---|
| Country | Turkey |
| City | Kusadasi |
| Period | 22/05/02 → 25/05/02 |
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Cite this
Otten, W., Harris, K., Hall, D., Young, I. M., Ritz, K., & Gilligan, C. A. (2002). The heterogeneous soil environment: are there preferential pathways for fungal spread? In Y. Elad, J. Köhl, & D. Shtienberg (Eds.), Proceedings of the meeting Influence of A-Biotic and Biotic Factors on Biocontrol Agents at Pine Bay, Kusadasi, Turkey, 22-25 May 2002 (pp. 283-286). IOBC-WPRS.