Detection and Quantification of Pythium aphanidermatum From Soil by Soil Dilution and Baiting Techniques

Abstract

Colonies of Pythium aphanidermatum were detected and quantified from 95 soil samples by surface soil dilution plate (SSDP) and baiting with cucumber seeds on BNPRA+Rb medium. The detection frequencies of P. aphanidermatum from total soil samples were 44.21 and 86.32% when the SSDP and baiting techniques were respectively employed. Quantification of population of P. aphanidermatum in 1-g soil revealed that vegetable soil contained highest numbers of viable propagules whereas the highest detection frequency was obtained from ornamental plant soil. Baiting technique also provided the rapid and simple way for evaluating the pathogenicity of Pythium spp., colonized on cucumber seeds.