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Pythium more complex than originally thought

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Research has found a plant disease that effects root development is more complex than originally thought.

Plant pathology professor Jim Kurle at the University of Minnesota says for many years it was believed there were only two Pythium species growers should be concerned with.

“The studies that were going on in Ohio and Iowa determined that there were many more species; up to 30 in both states.”

He tells Brownfield another long-held belief was Pythium only affected soybeans.

“It turns out from the results in other states, a number of the Pythium species actually are as pathogenic on corn as they are on soybeans.”

Because of that, Kurle says crop rotation does not help prevent the disease.

Another Pythium theory now disproven is that cool, wet weather is most conducive to the pathogen.

“The saturated soil component still holds true, but we found out that some of the Pythium species actually became more aggressive in warmer soils.  So you have a complex of species where some are quite active in low temperatures, and then you have a number of species that are more of a problem as soils warm up.”

Kurle says growers who’ve had stand establishment problems should consider fungicide-treated seed as a way to protect against root-rot diseases like Pythium.

 

 

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