Ectotrophic root infecting fungi and manganese

Ectotrophic root infecting fungi (take-all patch/decline, summer patch) are some of the key disease problems we face in the spring and summer months. This note is to remind you that there is good evidence (provided by Heckman et. al. at Rutgers University) that manganese (Mn) in adequate levels can suppress take-all patch caused by Gaeumannomyces graminis. It is possible, though not yet proven, that related diseases such as decline and summer patch can be suppressed using Mn as well.

To achieve disease suppression of take-all patch, we recommend that soils contain a minimum of 30 ppm Mn (when analyzed using…