Testing Viability and Germination of Plasmodiophora Brassicae (Wor.) Resting Spores Using the Fluorescence Microscope Technique

Abstract

The influences of root exudates from Chinese cabbage (Brassica pekinensis), rapeseed (B. napus), brown mustard (B. juncea), wheat, tomato and cucumber on the germination of P. brassicae resting spores were studied to ascertain if plant specific or non-specific stimulating factors exist to be applied for biocontrol purposes. 0.1 ml of spore suspension was mixed with 0.1 ml of root exudates and incubated at 18 or 25°C for 3 days. Root exudates of host and non-host plants reduced the percentage of viable P. brassica resting spores indicating the existence of a non plant specific root-borne spore germination factor.