Population changes of Macrophomina phaseolina in amended soils

Abstract

Population changes of Macrophomina phaseolina (Tassi) Goid. were followed in two soils amended with either wheat, corn, bean or alfalfa straw, or with nitrogen-enriched wheat straw or glucose and sodium nitrate at different C:N ratios. The population declined significantly initially in both soils with any amendment but later increased in soils amended with wheat or corn straw and in one soil amended with bean or alfalfa straw. Population declined with no subsequent increase when soil was amended with nitrogen-enriched wheat straw or glucose and sodium nitrate at C:N ratios equal to that of the natural plant residues. In general the population declined more rapidly when soil was amended with nitrogen-enriched wheat straw or glucose and nitrogen than if amended with either corn, bean or alfalfa straw and when soil was amended with low C:N ratios.