Evaluation of Biostart soil conditioners for control of sclerotia of <i>Ciborinia camelliae</i>

Abstract

BioStart soil conditioners and nitrogen were assessed for their effectiveness at enhancing microbial decay of soilborne sclerotia of Ciborinia camelliae In a laboratory assay Mycorrcinnz and Digesternz were applied alone or combined at 8 and 25 l/ha and 10 x these rates with and without 50 kg/ha nitrogen as urea These treatments had no significant effect on the viability of sclerotia embedded in soil after 3 months although nitrogen increased the proportion of parasitised sclerotia from 4 to 8 In a field trial an application of 105 litres/ha MycorrcinnzDigesternz (825) in 1000 litres water/ha plus 50 kg nitrogen/ha as urea in February and June had no significant effect on apothecia production during the following spring or on the number of viable sclerotia