STUDIES ON THE RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN NEMATODES AND OTHER SOIL MICROORGANISMS: IV. INCIDENCE OF NEMATODE-TRAPPING FUNGI IN THE VICINITY OF PLANT ROOTS

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Abstract
A study was made of the occurrence of nematode-trapping fungi in the rhizosphere and on the root surface of different plants. Arthrobotrys oligospora was the predominant predaceous fungus isolated. It was almost completely absent from plant roots but occurred in varying frequency in rhizosphere soil and in root-free soil. The incidence of this fungus was consistently greater in the soybean rhizosphere and lower in the wheat rhizosphere than in corresponding soil devoid of roots, whereas for other plants, red clover, flax, etc., there was no obvious rhizosphere effect. Spore germination tests and growth of A. oligospora in root extracts of soybeans and wheat failed to account for the differences observed. However, bacterial isolates from the wheat rhizosphere were, on the whole, more antagonistic to this fungus than those from the soybean rhizosphere, whereas isolates from the latter appeared to exert a favorable effect.

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