The occurrence in Denmark of black root rot of pea caused by Thielaviopsis basicola

Thielaviopsis basicola has been shown to be a root pathogen of pea of considerable importance in Denmark. The fungus is only found in fields with one or more previous pea crops in the field history. In the dry and warm growing season of 1989 the fungus was found in 0·6% and 3·2% of the fields in two separate areas in Denmark. In the fields where T. basicola was detected the average disease severity index in plant samples was 51·8, whereas the average disease severity index in plant samples without the fungus was 27·0. The average yield of green peas was reduced from 5167 to 4171 kg/ha when T. basicola was present. For detection and isolation of T. basicola it is important to use a technique combining microscopic examination, a semi-selective medium and a dilution plate method.