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Evaluation of the Use of Charcoal in the Study of Soil Fungistasis. W. H. Ko, Associate Professor, Department of Plant Pathology, University of Hawaii, Beaumont Agricultural Research Center, Hilo 96720; F. K. Hora, Technician, Department of Plant Pathology, University of Hawaii, Beaumont Agricultural Research Center, Hilo 96720. Phytopathology 65:1031-1032. DOI: 10.1094/Phyto-65-1031.

Neurospora tetrasperma ascospores which were not sensitive to soil fungistasis germinated completely on three sources of nonwashed and six sources of washed charcoals that were tested. However, nutritionally dependent conidia of Aspergillus fumigatus and Penicillium frequentans failed to germinate on soils with or without amendment with 10% of the charcoals, or on the charcoals only. When nutrients were added, spores of both fungi germinated completely on charcoal-amended soils. Therefore, it is suggested that removal of inhibition by addition of charcoal to soil not be used as a characteristic of soil fungistasis.