The role of fungi and nematodes as factors associated with death of white clover ( Trifolium repens ) stolons over summer in south-eastern Queensland

A series of laboratory and field trials examined the role of both fungi and nematodes in causing stolon death of white clover (Trifolium repens) which is typically encountered over summer/early autumn in sub-tropical coastal Queensland. Pythium middletonii was consistently isolated from necrotic stolons and roots of Trifolium spp. collected at a range of sites, and was the only fungal species isolated that was pathogenic to white clover seedlings in glasshouse tests. Under controlled environment conditions P. middletonii also caused a root and stolon rot of mature plants similar to that observed in the field. Preliminary studies suggested that some naturalized white clover strains are more resistant as seedlings than commercial white clover cultivars. In 1974-75 and 1975-76 fungicides were applied at monthly intervals over summer to grazed pastures at two sites. Stolon death was significantly reduced by fungicide at one site in one year. The possible role of plant parasitic nematodes in the decline syndrome was investigated in 1975 at three sites: the decline in clover was significantly reduced by nematicide at each site.