Urea in combination with burial reduces the production of pseudothecia on Leptosphaeria maculans infected stubble

Abstract

Leptosphaeria maculans, the causal agent of black leg of canola survives between crops on infected stubble. Pseudothecia containing ascospores produced on diseased material provide the primary inoculum to infect subsequently planted canola crops. The effect of burial in combination with urea application on L. maculans pseudothecial production and maturation on diseased stubble was determined. In addition, the population diversity and carbon utilisation profile (CUP) of the soil microbial community associated with the stubble was assessed.