Effect of infection of seminal and nodal roots by the take-all fungus on tiller numbers and shoot weight of wheat

A simple technique is described for the separation of seminal and nodal roots of wheat grown in pots. The effect of infection of either of the root-systems of wheat by the take-all fungus on tiller numbers and shoot weight was investigated using a variation of the technique. Both root systems were necrosed by the introduced inoculum of the pathogen to which they were exposed when they were about 7 days old. Although infection of either of the root systems resulted in significant reduction of tiller numbers, only infection of nodal roots caused significant reduction of shoot weight.