Effects of mycophagous soil mesofauna on Rhizoctonia solani infection of potato stems were investigated in two experiments carried out in growth chambers at 10 and 15°C. The springtail Folsomia fimetaria and the nematode Aphelenchus avenae were selected as organisms suppressive to R. solani. Reduction in Rhizoctonia stem infection by mycophagous soil mesofauna was equally effective at 10 and 15°C. F. fimetaria tended to be more effective than A. avenae, but the best control was obtained when both organisms were present in the soil at high densities.
The effect of soil moisture content on the suppression of Rhizoctonia stem canker on potato by mycophagous soil animals was studied in growth chambers. Three soil moisture levels were established in two bioassays, in which potato sprouts grew through a 15‐cm soil layer inoculated with sclerotia of Rhizoctonia solani (AG‐3). In one experiment two levels of R. solani inoculum were applied. The effect on plant disease of mycophagous soil fauna was assessed by adding the springtail Folsomia fimetaria and/or the nematode Aphelenchus avenae to the soil. In the absence of mycophagous organisms, Rhizoctonia disease severity on potato stems was highest in dry soil. A. avenae and F. fimetaria reduced Rhizoctonia stem canker when applied at populations found in the field. They were effective over a broad range of soil moistures. The stimulatory effect of dry soil conditions on Rhizoctonia stem canker was counteracted by a greater efficacy of the mycophagous soil fauna under these conditions. Mild drought stress did not seem to be a limiting factor in the biological control of stem canker by these two organisms.
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