The survival of Mycosphaerella pinodes on pea haulm buried in soil

SUMMARY Where haulm was left on the soil surface the mycelium of Mycosphaerella pinodes went through cycles of active saprophytic growth, followed by inactive phases during the earlier parts of the year. Burial at either 15 or 25 cm brought about a decrease in survival with time. The majority of the mycelium was on the outer portions of the stem pieces, with only a small amount of penetration into the plant remains. Experiments on root surface colonization showed that mycelium of M. pinodes was capable of growing saprophytically on the host roots in competition with the normal soil microflora.