VIEW ARTICLE

Disease Control and Pest Management

Effect of Organic Residues on Snowmold of Winter Wheat. D. M. Huber, Department of Botany and Plant Pathology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907; G. R. Anderson, Department of Bacteriology, University of Idaho, Moscow 83843. Phytopathology 66:1028-1032. Accepted for publication 11 February 1976. Copyright © 1976 The American Phytopathological Society, 3340 Pilot Knob Road, St. Paul, MN 55121. All rights reserved.. DOI: 10.1094/Phyto-66-1028.

Surface application or incorporation into the top 25 mm of soil of several organic materials after seeding winter wheat generally increased the severity of snowmold caused by Fusarium nivale and Typhula idahoensis. Chitin amendment resulted in the most severe snowmold caused by both pathogens. Wheat and barley residues also increased snowmold, but appeared to increase pink snowmold caused by F. nivale more than by Typhula. Ground alfalfa hay amendment generally had no effect on snowmold. Flaming the soil after seeding to remove surface residues nullified the residue effect and provided partial control of snowmold. Organic amendments apparently provided a nutrient substrate for extensive saprophytic growth prior to parasitic activity.