[Development and relations of Fusarium culmorum and Pseudomonas fluorescens in soil]

The development of Fusarium culmorum and Pseudomonas fluorescens in soil, and the relations between them, were studied using membrane filters containing the fungus, the bacterium, or both microorganisms; the filters were incubated in soil. F. culmorum was identified by indirect immunofluorescence: the GUS-labeled strain was used to visualize P. fluorescens. It was found that F. culmorum introduced in soil can develop as a saprotroph, with the formation of mycelium, macroconidia, and a small amount of chlamydospores. Introduction of glucose and cellulose resulted in increased density of the F. culmorum mycelium and macroconidia. P. fluorescens suppressed development of F. culmorum mycelium in soil but stimulated formation of fungal chlamydospores. Decreased mycelial density in the presence of P. fluorescens was more pronounced in unsupplemented soil and less pronounced when glucose or cellulose was intiodaced. F. culmorum had no significant effect on P. fluorescens growth in soil.