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Essay / Cultural control of Fusarium spp. pathogens. - 1663
The genus Fusarium includes more than 20 species affecting a wide range of crops ranging from fruits, vegetables, herbs, tubers and cereals (DoctorFungus Corporation) (Gullino, et al., 1998) (Lõiveke, 2006) . Fusarium spp. are in the phylum Ascomycota; they have septate hyphae, conidiospores, mircoconidia, macroconidia and can be found worldwide (DoctorFungus Corporation) (Glenn, et al., 2004). Several species are responsible for the production of mycotoxins in many cereals which can have adverse effects on humans and other animals (Teich & Hamilton, 1985) (Lõiveke). Some species of Fusarium can also act as beneficial mycorrhizal fungi, while different strains of this species can be pathogenic, such as Fusarium oxysporum on corn, wheat and nightshade (Lõiveke) crops (Fracchia, et al., 2000) ( Tamietti & Valentino, 2006). (Champeil, et al., 2004). As a pathogen, Fusarium spp. can cause various diseases depending on the host plant it infects. In cereal grains, many species can cause head blight, root rot, Fusarium take-all rot, or seedling blight; in potatoes it can cause dry rot and in nightshades or other fruit crops various wilt diseases (Lõiveke) (Champeil, et al.) (Katan, 2000). Due to the wide variety of host crops, management of Fusarium spp. can be difficult, this article will focus on some cultural controls that have been studied, some have been found to be very effective while others are still under debate and being studied. Crop rotation is perhaps the most effective form of management for grain diseases caused by pathogens. Fusarium spp.. Many studies have shown that, especially in wheat, the previous crop can make a big difference in disease cases. As for Fusarium head blight, studies have shown that wheat follows corn in rotation...... middle of paper ......mistry , Volume 40, p. 834–844.Smith, M., Smith, J. & Stirling, G., 2011. Integrating minimum tillage, crop rotation and organic amendments in a ginger growing system: impacts on yield and soil-borne diseases. Soil & Tillage Research, Volume 114, pp. 108-116. Tamietti, G. & Valentino, D., 2006. Soil solarization as an ecological method for the control of Fusarium wilt of melons in Italy. Crop protection, volume 25, p. 389–397.Teich, AH & Hamilton, JR, 1985. Effect of cultural practices, phosphorus, potassium and soil pH on the incidence of Fusarium head blight and deoxynivalenol levels in soil wheat. APPLIED AND ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY, 49(6), pp. 1429-1431. Teich, A. and Nelson, K., 1984. Investigation of Fusarium head blight and possible effects of cultural practices in Lambton County wheat fields in 1983. Canadian Plant Disease Survey, 64 (1), p.p... 11-13.