A resource-saving method for isolation of Fusarium and other fungi from individual soil particles

Planting of individual soil particles onto an agar medium, poured into Petri dishes, is a method of studying fungal distribution between microhabitats in soil. The substitution of Petri dishes with well plates reduced both the required amount of agar medium and labour. A microshovel prepared from an injection needle facilitated the handling of individual, small size, soil particles (0.25–0.50 mm).

The described method was evaluated in a study of the distribution of Fusarium within two wheat field soils from Ås, Norway, and from Østermarie, Denmark. Four types of organic particles were distinguished: light coloured root pieces, dark coloured root pieces, straw pieces, and miscellaneous organic pieces.

The dominating species were F. culmorum, F. oxysporum and F. avenaceum. Aspects on the value of the method with regard to fungal substrate preference are discussed.