Influence of waterlogging on growth of pyrethrum plants infected by the crown and root rot pathogens, Fusarium oxysporum, Fusarium avenaceum and Paraphoma vinacea

Abstract

Yield decline in pyrethrum fields of northern Tasmania was thought to be due to an interaction between soil-borne pathogens and abiotic stresses. Glasshouse trials were conducted to assess the influence of a 4-day waterlogging period on growth of pyrethrum plants already infected with the crown and root rot pathogens, Fusarium oxysporum, F. avenaceum and Paraphoma vinacea. In plants grown at optimum soil water capacity, F. oxysporum and P. vinacea significantly reduced the below-ground and total biomass of plants before waterlogging (0 bw = 2 months after inoculation, 2 mai), at 2 months after waterlogging (2 maw = 4 months after inoculation, 4 mai) and 6 months after waterlogging (6 maw = 8..