THE EFFECT OF SOIL MOISTURE ON <i>FUSARIUM</i> SPECIES

Abstract

Six species and forms of the genus Fusarium show optimum growth and survival in soil at 15% saturation. Optimum soil moisture content for actinomycete growth and survival is similar to that for the Fusarium species whereas that for bacteria is at 75% soil saturation. The present studies indicate that Fusarium spp. are strongly aerobic and that Fusarium populations can be greatly reduced by maintaining the soil in a saturated condition in the absence of hosts.