Virulence and Relative Density of Three Root Rotting Organisms; Pythium ultimum, Pythium echinocarpum and Rhizoctonia solani in Alpine Soils in Chinese Cabbage

Fifty three diseased root samples of Chinese cabbage and 22 soil samples were taken from six alpine areas in Kangwon province to examine the organisms causing root rot of Chinese cabbage. Among thirteen microorganisms detected from diseased roots samples, Pythium ultimum, Pythium echinocarpum and Rhizoctonia solani were detected frequently and were pathogenic to Chinese cabbage. Five to 100% of young Chinese cabbage plants grown in the sample soils taken from alpine cabbage fields were infected either alone or together with P. ultimum, P. echinocarpum and R. solani, depending upon the or gin of sample soils. When relative density of the three organsims in the sample soils was estimated based on the infection frequency on the plants grown in those sample soils, P. ultimum was prevalent only in Chahang-i-li area. P. echinocarpum was prevalent in Yongsan-il-li, Hoengwe-li, and Munmaek areas. R. solani was solely found in Maebongsan area where both P. ultimum and P. echinocarpum were not detected. In the three areas where both P. ultimum and P. echinocarpum were present, density of P. echinocarpum was generally greater than that of P. ultimum. Seedlings of thirty major Chinese cabbage varieties were inoculated independently with the three organisms in the greenhouse. Six varieties were resistant to P. ultimum. Three and two varieties were moderately resistant to P. ultimum and P. echinocarpum, respectively. All varieties were highly susceptible to R. solani.