Wild and cultivated grasses as carriers of the take‐all fungus (Ophiobolus graminis)

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Abstract
SUMMARY: Fifteen grass species, two legumes and one grass/legume mixture were inoculated with Ophiobolus graminis (Sacc.) Sacc. in outdoor plots and tested at intervals over 13 months for the degree of spread and survival of the fungus on their roots. A similar method was used to estimate the survival of O. graminis var. avenae E. M. Turner. Lolium italicum, L. perenne, Festuca rubra and Dactylis glomerata were found to be the most important carriers of the type O. graminis, whilst least infection followed the two dicotyledons (Medicago lupulina and Trifolium pratense), Alopecurus pratensis and Arrhenatherum elatius. In contrast, Arrhenatherum elatius was the most effective carrier of O. graminis var. avenae, together with Lolium italicum and the Agrostis species. Least infection again followed the two dicotyledons.